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  • Believe in yourself!

    17 years old and already a high school dropout, I recall walking by the local community college in Pasco, Washington and thinking “Only smart people go there, I’ll never be able to.” This experience occurred 26 years ago but was a catalyst to what would transpire in my life from that point forward.

  • The power of communication

    The name of the English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton might not be familiar to many people, but they may know his famous quote, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”My objective in this article is not to convince the reader that words win over swords, but to illustrate the ability communication has to

  • Navigating the path to being forged in the crucible of anxiety

    With less than a week of notice, I was recently assigned a temporary duty to march in the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, one of the largest and highest profile military parades in the world. The Bastille Day parade included more than 7,000 military personnel and is the oldest

  • Navigating the path to being forged in the crucible of anxiety

    With less than a week of notice, I was recently assigned a temporary duty to march in the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, one of the largest and highest profile military parades in the world. The Bastille Day parade included more than 7,000 military personnel and is the oldest

  • Unsung heroes of the flightline

    When I first took command of the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, I noticed our guidon was void of any campaign streamers. Knowing aircraft maintainers had undoubtedly been a part of this wing and its legacy of valor through World War II, Vietnam War, the Cold War, and multiple combat operations,

  • In debt, gratitude

    On what should have been one of the happiest days of our lives, my wife and I were scalped of our happiness. And our resiliency was tested.January 17, was an amazing day for us. Our daughter Alice was born. She was a fighter from the start. Alice tried her absolute best to stay in the womb; and when

  • Medics rock – Prepare to shock!

    As the commander of the 31st Medical Group, I’m continually honored to have the opportunity to lead and serve Aviano’s Wyvern medics in our critical role to support the 31st Fighter Wing’s mission to deter aggression, defend U.S. and NATO interests and develop Aviano. Our medics take pride in

  • What I hate about my job

    I’ve met some great people who do awesome things, but there are parts of the job that I hate.