Commentary Search

  • Kicking the habit: Chronicles of smoking from a personal perspective

    Editor's note: This is the first part of a three part series documenting a smoker's attempt to quit. The Great American Smokeout was Nov. 15. I started smoking when I was 16. I did not have a steady home. It was difficult finding a place to stay most nights. When I could, I spent the night at my

  • Kicking the habit: First week of quitting from a personal perspective

    Editor's note: This is the second part of a three part series documenting a smoker's attempt to quit. The Great American Smokeout is Nov. 15. While I was in the smoker's cessation class, I was told the first seven days of quitting smoking are always the most difficult. This is the time the majority

  • Marriage enrichment is TIME well spent

    It's been nearly 10 years since my husband and I attended pre-marital counseling with an Air Force chaplain, and not an anniversary goes by that I don't think about the valuable lessons that came from those one-hour sessions over the course of six weeks.Looking back, I see that this counseling was

  • Don't forget your battle-rattle

    When I deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, one phrase I quickly learned was my need to wear my "battle-rattle." Given the risks associated with being in Baghdad this individual protective equipment of a helmet and protective vest with embedded ceramic plates were important additions to my uniform. Given an

  • I think I'll rock a pink T-shirt

    Lately it has really been eating at me when I hear people talking about their PT scores. It's as if they're under the impression fitness isn't as important as the other areas of being in the Air Force. It makes me want to tell them to wake up and realize it's no different than any other aspect of

  • Discipline - self-imposed or imposed on, it's your choice

    "If we don't discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us." -- William Feather "You're late...what's your excuse this time?" "I'm sorry sergeant; my alarm clock didn't go off." "Wasn't that your excuse last week? Still haven't gotten it fixed? This is the fourth time you've been late this

  • Shoplifter recounts recent experience

    The first time I was in the newspaper was when I was 5, telling people how to make a Thanksgiving turkey. The second time I was in the newspaper was in the blotter for being caught shoplifting. At first, I was sure I had gotten away with it. I had left the base exchange and it was all over. But

  • Behind the wheel, think like Clint Eastwood

    This summer, service members across the KMC will partake in a European version of the great American pastime called the "road trip." Countless locales across the continent beckon you to come and play. Of course, leisure time plays an important role in the military lifestyle, but no responsibility is

  • A high price to pay

    Many of you weren't here a year and a half ago when we received the command post notification of an active duty member and his family involved in a car accident. Although the member and his family survived, unfortunately, two British civilians were killed.I remember the day clearly, and the terrible

  • Don't miss chances to see big picture

    I guess I would consider myself lucky - perhaps luckier than other Airmen - to see what I've seen. I've seen the bigger picture. Have you? I've sunk into boot-sucking mud with the Cable Dawgs while they worked with hundreds of miles of cable beneath our very feet. I've braved face-chapping cold with