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Commentary Search

  • Religious Diversity: Stew or Ambrosia?

    The metaphor of the 'Great Melting Pot' has been used to describe U.S. culture since the early twentieth century. The idea is that people from diverse countries, languages, and religious traditions all blend together to form a new identity - Americans. Sort of like a well-cooked stew where

  • The adaptability of military children

    The uncertainty of military life may frighten some. There is never truly a "safe ground," or feeling of complete calmness since around the next corner may be an unanticipated change of plans. You never know when you may have to uproot your life in one place and suddenly have to rebuild your life

  • Diversity, why is it important?

    Diversity seems to be the buzzword in our military at this time. In fact, the Air Force deems it so important that it has a website on the subject (http://www.af.mil/Diversity).  But what is it?  Why is it important? And why should we care as leaders? Just look around you when you are at your next

  • Below the surface of anxiety

    In the Air Force, you constantly hear resiliency messages and taglines. I was like everyone else and didn't take these messages seriously, but they're here for a reason. This is my reason.I hate to admit it, but it's true. I live every day in fear. Anxiety boils down to fear regardless of whether

  • Sexual assault survivor: 'You are not alone'

    I remember the day like it was yesterday. My heartbeat echoed in my head as I attempted to dry my sweaty hands on my jeans. I was 21 years old, sitting in a Korean court room, waiting to be questioned by prosecutors. How I ended up here was unreal. Just a few months ago I was happy; I had a loving

  • What’s your social thumbprint?

    We've all done it; in a vain sense of curiosity to see if our social presence has made any kind of impact on the world. Just admit it - you've Googled yourself.Since entering the golden age of social media, it seems that now, it's not hard to gather a handful of information on just about anyone,

  • Kudos to Eagle Eyes

    The moment we pulled around the corner to get on base, security forces had their M4 carbines at the ready and were yelling for us to put our hands in the air.I was one of three Airmen participating in an Eagle Eyes exercise the 48th Fighter Wing Inspection Team put together to test the vigilance of

  • From start to finish; lessons learned

    Today is Friday, March 13, 2015.  Today makes 23 years and three months since I arrived at basic military training to start my military service.  Today is also the day of my retirement ceremony, the symbolic end to my military career. As I look back at my time in the Air Force, I'm extremely

  • Pursuing dreams to fly, fight and win

    Have you ever been told you didn't have what it takes while pursuing a goal? Did you believe it?I did.My final year in college, the Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commander met with each senior to discuss our Air Force future. When asked what I hoped to do, like most of my peers I

  • There is no substitute for hard work

    One of the questions I am often asked is, "How did you get promoted to chief master sergeant so quickly, with less than 20 years of service?"  Although there is no easy answer or one specific event that has led me to being in this humbling position, I normally answer by attributing making the rank