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  • James L. Bottomlee, grandfather of Lt. Col. James D. Bottomlee, 3rd Fighter Training Squadron commander at Vance AFB, served in the U.S. Army Air Forces throughout World War II loading bombs on the B-26 Marauder. When Colonel Bottomlee entered the Air Force, his grandfather told him, “Remember son, take care of your Airmen and they will take care of the mission.” (Courtesy photo)

    The leadership paradox: To lead, we should serve

    "Remember son, take care of your Airmen and they will take care of the mission." My grandfather, James L. Bottomlee, spoke these words of wisdom to me on the day I entered the Air Force."Grandpa James" served in the U.S. Army Air Forces throughout World War II loading bombs on the B-26 Marauder in the bitter cold of Northern Europe and the

  • Leslie Lorenz on Leadership – Spouse Wingmen

    I recently met two young military wives. I was so happy to meet these bright, young, eager, new spouses as they and their husbands begin an exciting career in our wonderful Air Force. Randolph AFB is the first assignment for one of the couples. They are originally from the northeast and come from families with virtually no military connection.
  • Lt. Col. William Browne, 25th Flying Training Squadron commander

    Time - the most valuable thing one can spend

    Theophrastus, a student of Plato and later Aristotle, said, "Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." I like this quote for two reasons.First, quoting a Greek philosopher will give this commentary an air of intellectual legitimacy. Second, I think he's right on the money.Speaking of money -- "time is money" -- is one of the most familiar
  • Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander of the Air Education and Training Command

    Lorenz on Leadership -- Professional advocacy

    As a service member, I have fought for programs and resources throughout my career. In many cases these battles were a matter of advocacy -- my opportunity to fight for things I believed in. I began facing these challenging moments within days of my entry into military service. As a result, I have come to embrace several principles of professional
  • Dianna DeLany, 71st Comptroller Squadron

    'End of year madness' is almost upon us -- again

    The madness called, "End of Year," which affects everybody involved with money, is almost upon us. Get ready to spend that fallout money.Throughout the year Finance and your resource advisor say we don't have any money but suddenly we start telling you to spend, spend, spend. How can we not have money for temporary duties or supplies, yet, have
  • Lt. Col. Ray Cirasa, 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron commander

    Compliance, innovation, documentation – we must do it all

    One of the unique characteristics of military life is that so many of the rules are provided for us. The big picture is laid out in our core values and we get specifics from Air Force Instructions, major command guidance and local policy. We've got standards addressing our conduct on the job and off. As a commander, that makes the job easier than
  • Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander of the Air Education and Training Command

    Lorenz on Leadership – The intellectual resource

    Today, we are approaching nine years of sustained combat operations. Many could even argue that our Air Force has been involved in continuous combat operations since the original Gulf War in 1991. Even more challenging, today's combat operations are being conducted while the rest of the nation fights its way through a recession, making resources
  • Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Kenui Balutski, the 71st Flying Training Wing command chief

    Your internal voices carry important messages

    Yes, I must admit that I've been hearing voices in my head for quite a while now. They start in the morning and persist throughout the day, constantly telling me what I should or shouldn't do. Sometimes I listen and sometimes I don't -- but regardless, I just can't seem to make the voices stop. For the most part, that's just fine by me.Before

  • Bystander training pays off for Colorado Airman

    It was around 2:20 a.m., May 8, and my friend and I had just exited a club in Denver and began walking three blocks down the street looking for a taxi.We came across a young woman who had her back to us, but I noticed that she was surrounded by four men and was up against a brick building. Keep in mind, the streets were still crowded but something
  • Lt. Col. David Merritt, 71st Operations Support Squadron commander

    Figure out a way to say 'yes'

    When it comes to doing your job and supporting the customer, find a way to say yes.I was recently on leave due to a death in the family, so I left no-notice. I had an enlisted performance report I needed to sign and unfortunately I did not remember to bring a common-access-card laptop with me.My parents live just a short drive from an Air Force
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