• Air traffic control training: A day in the life

    It's 5:15 a.m. and the alarm rings, seemingly just a blink of an eye after falling asleep. Reality quickly sets in; exciting work lies ahead. The day starts with academics -- aeronautical terminology, navigational theory and standard operating procedures. Class is quickly followed by the pressure of

  • Warrior training prepares Airmen for deployment

    How do commanders keep folks alive in a hostile environment? They train them as well and as realistically as possible. One way our Team Vance members are prepared for deployment is through a rigorous training program called Operation Ready Warrior. Under the motto "train as you fight," Ready Warrior

  • Respect, trust earned by group, shared by association

    Many times I hear people, as a member of the armed forces ask, "What is the importance of being conscientious of everything we do on and off duty?" Why does it matter that we have our hat on when we go to and from our car at home or at work? What does it matter to the Air Force what I do on my own

  • All forms of recognition pay dividends to all

    Remember when you were in the first grade and the teacher gave you a gold star for behavior, because you finally made it through a week without shooting a spitball at Susie Jenkins? You liked it so much you got another the next week, because you finally turned in your homework. You actually made it

  • Make holidays brighter for less fortunate

    The holiday season is rapidly approaching and if you are like me, you're focusing on just how special you're going to make it for your loved ones. Now place yourself in the shoes of some of our young military families who are raising their children without the emotional, physical and financial

  • "Do the right thing" -- most valuable advice for all

    Throughout my life, I've received advice from numerous people in various forms...some of it valuable and some of it down right ridiculous. Some advice I've received was just so complex, it actually took years for me to fully understand the point the "advisor" was trying to make. This type of advice