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  • Mentorship is a two-way street

     Several years ago when I was a new Air Force captain, I had the opportunity to welcome our new medical group administrator. He was one of those people whose demeanor and leadership skills instantly gave a positive impression. It was during one of our many discussions that he impressed upon me the

  • 'Tis the season

    We are well into the holiday season and our attention reverts on what we need to accomplish in order to make our events magical for our family and friends. It is definitely a wonderful time to think of loved ones and to get together to reminisce and to catch up on lost time. These moments are some

  • Maintaining the right balance

    I pressed send on what feels like the one hundredth email today and glanced out my window to notice it is pitch black outside. That's funny; I don't remember Retreat sounding. I swivel my chair back around to my desk and finish up replying to another ten emails before heading home. When I get home

  • Paying it Forward

    The term "pay it forward" has been the standard code phrase that equates to doing something good for someone in response to a good deed done to you. Many of us know this same principle as the "golden rule," which stipulates, "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you." In the private

  • Reflections on 30 years of service

     It seems like yesterday I was getting on a bus at the Oakland Military Entrance Processing Station in California, beginning the journey that led to basic military training, and ending at Altus AFB, Okla.As I ruminated over a theme for this article, I'll admit to some writer's block. I've written a

  • How to deal with holiday depression

     'Tis the season to be merry, but what if you look in the mirror and all you see is a Grinch? The holiday season is meant to be warm, optimistic and full of togetherness. This is why many of us find ourselves feeling not quite in the holiday spirit when we are separated from our loved ones and

  • Do your part in reducing spending

     We've all heard about Cost Conscious Culture and how we need to do our part in order to complete the mission so we can live within new budget restraints. It won't be easy, but it's to our advantage to reduce spending and learn to live within our means. Our working environment is changing even as

  • The true spirit of a warrior knows no uniform

     Many American military leaders have led heroically in our nation's history: Washington, Lee, Grant, Patton, Ridgway, Schwarzkopf and Jumper. However, the name Doolittle may well be the most deserving of the typical laudatory embellishments that amateur historians often impose on these men. Here's a

  • Leadership principles from a baseball legend

    "All of these people sitting here--they want people to be proud of them. They want their families to be proud of them," said Tommy Lasorda as he spoke of the Airmen sitting at his table for lunch. I had a few moments to speak with Lasorda, in between him signing baseballs and enjoying his food at

  • Leadership during tough fiscal times

     We are currently faced with unprecedented budgetary constraints driven by sequestration and a government shutdown. The strain is taking a toll on our people, yet we persevere, going above and beyond every day. Winning amongst constant challenge can only be accomplished through continued