Commentary Search

  • Tapestry for life

    "The Department of Defense's Equal Opportunity Advisor's program is predominantly staffed by minorities." In order to truly understand this assertion, one must read between the lines to see the stereotype that it represents. The first time I experienced this assumption was when I first graduated the

  • “Student” is not a bad word

    Throughout my career I have been puzzled by the stigma that being a "student" brought. In our careers, we are all students at one point or another, with most of us striving for every chance to attend professional military education in-residence and other elite programs. So why do we have the

  • Want a better work-out? Exercise gym etiquette

    The gym is for improving your body, relieving stress, bettering your overall health and staying fit to fight. But some people could be more courteous to their fellow gym rats, making everyone's work-outs more enjoyable and effective. Here are some common sense guidelines that are very simple and

  • This year, try the "No Complaining Rule"

    With the calendar turning over once again, it's the perfect time for resolutions and reflection. Most of us are pretty good about resolutions, or at least in creating them, but following them can be a little more challenging and so can reflection. But this year, my resolution was to spend time

  • EO: real solution to a real problem

    Editor's note: This is a fictional story to demonstrate how the Equal Opportunity Office could help in this kind of situation.Ten - that's the number of times I push the snooze button every morning. As I'm driving to work, I take the longest route I can find and I wonder if everyone hates their job

  • Government Travel Card replacement eases travel, financial hassles

    As a new financial services officer, I found myself spending up to 20 hours a week on Government Travel Card management tasks -- answer questions from agency program coordinators and commanders who were focused on program and delinquency management.My experience wasn't unusual -- many FSOs spend

  • Public affairs Airman flies with tanker crew

    I recently had a change of scenery when I ventured on my first TDY. I spent five days at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., covering exercise Cactus Starfighter.During my TDY, I experienced a piece of what it is like to be a member of an aircrew. For five days the crew of a KC-135 Stratotanker from the

  • AETC commander sends holiday greetings

    AETC Family,As Airmen and their families all around Air Education and Training Command pause to celebrate, Teresa and I wish each of you a joyous and safe holiday season. Many of us are blessed to be with our family and friends this time of the year, but I ask you to remember the sacrifices our

  • Adjusting to change key to success

    As we go through our careers, we will see people dealing with change in many different ways. Change may be physical or situational. Some believe situational change is the hardest to deal with because it gets them out of their comfort zone and may cause them to become disorientated or even make them

  • What if Uncle Sam cashes that blank check?

    You may have heard the old adage "when you join the military you write Uncle Sam a blank check," one which can be redeemed for any amount, up to and including making the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation. But what do you do if that check is cashed? While I was preparing to deploy to