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  • Attitude: The key ingredient in resiliency

    "There will be demands upon your ability, upon your endurance, upon your disposition, upon your patience...just as fire tempers iron into fine steel so does adversity temper one's character into firmness, tolerance, and determination" - Sen. Margaret Chase Smith. As we've gone through the past

  • I heard retreat today

    I don't get out to the base much these days. I don't even remember what I needed to pick up, but after a long day of yard work I stopped by the Shoppette. I found a good parking spot and headed into the store, and just before entering, I heard the scratchy recording of "To the Colors" start to bleat

  • Transforming sexual assault prevention in the Air Force

    Air Force leadership takes sexual assault prevention very seriously and continuously works towards creating a culture where sexual assaults are eliminated. To that end, senior Air Force leaders recently participated in a Sexual Assault Prevention Summit at Andrews AFB, Maryland in the continuing

  • Managing risks of an every-day AF life

    Is Risk Management (RM) simply a required checklist to complete before performing your duties -something to cover the basics? What about RM and your off-duty activities? The fact that the Air Force loses more Airmen to off-duty mishaps compared to on duty warrants a look at what we do every day that

  • Showing skin: 7 ways to reduce risk of sun damage

    Summertime is here! We will soon enjoy time at the beach, swimming pools, bike rides and more time doing outdoor activities all because of precious sunlight. The sun provides us with the benefits of Vitamin D production, warmth and a good mood. While we enjoy the wonderful solar benefits, it is

  • Finding your way down a winding Air Force road

    There are many things in life we can't change, the ones who we grow close to, the ones who bring meaning to what we do, the people who change us -- our true friends.Many times throughout the course of my 14-year Air Force career I have felt I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I think I

  • Memorial Day marks beginning of Critical Days of Summer

    Memorial Day is a day to remember our fellow Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.Take this time to honor those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms and those that continue to do so today. Whether you observe this

  • Are you in the fight?

    You are probably well aware of the 10,800 x 300 foot runway, the 55 million gallon fuel storage capacity, and the high frequency communications facilities at Lajes Field. As I write this, you may even be watching the arrival of the largest number of fighters to transit Lajes Field at one time in

  • PCS decorations must be earned

    Awarding of decorations when an individual permanently changes stations is not always a simple decision.The closing line on an Air Force commendation medal reads, "The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant or Airman X reflect credit upon him or herself and the United States Air Force."PCS

  • Time to put on our dancing shoes - and change our EPR culture

    The second I pinned on staff sergeant I knew I could do it. I could be the NCO the Air Force wanted me to be. I could write fair enlisted performance reports and prove the naysayers in airman leadership school wrong. Sure, what we learned might "not be the way it's done in the real Air Force," but