Commentaries

  • A Counsellor's Thoughts on Suicide Prevention Month

    The Air Force is not immune to the causes of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. People commit suicide for a number of reasons including feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or overwhelming stress or sadness. At times, a suicide attempt is an impulsive gesture following a stressful incident that is

  • The ‘Dirty Dozen’: what it means to serve as a Reservist

    When I was the spouse of a Reservist (which was the better part of my five years of marriage), I didn't get it. My husband would work his normal work week, then square away his uniform on Friday night for drill on Saturday and Sunday. Come Monday morning, he was back at work, and I had no concept of

  • Passing defense budget would ensure readiness

    As a reserve component to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, our citizen Airmen work to balance a schedule that can be challenging between job demands, Air Force Reserve requirements and family time.

  • Take time to do the things that make for better leaders

    As I have departed my last few assignments, I was given the opportunity to speak to the members of my organization. In each instance, three central themes emerged.First, self-elimination. My advice was, "Don't." I have worked with many service members who had tremendous leadership potential -- many

  • Exercise provides lesson in communication, leadership

    I recently served as the deployed wing commander for Exercise Patriot Warrior 2015 at Fort McCoy, Wis. This is the Air Force Reserve Command's largest field exercise and is part of the Army's Global Medic exercise. It is held at a true bare-base, built from the ground up by the exercise

  • 'Quest for Zero' safety mishaps begins off duty

    Summer offers plenty of choices for recreational activities. Whichever you indulge in, ensure you make sound choices. Risk Management for off-duty activities is Air Force Reserve Command's main focus over the next several months.  We'll focus on three categories: sports, recreation and individual

  • Don't tug on Superman's cape

    There are certain things in life you just don't do. You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that ol' Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with - core values. At least not if you have committed part of your life to serving this great country in

  • Learning to 'do the right thing'

    We are all the products of the men and women who came before us. They are family, friends, and brothers and sisters in our "profession of arms."I recently had the pleasure of hosting Col. H. Charles "Chuck" Hodges Jr., commander of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, here at the 446th Airlift Wing. Colonel