• Adapting to personalities key to teamwork

    "Why can't I get along with anyone at work? Everyone misunderstands me!" I have heard this phrase a few times over the last 16 years, and I've learned to be suspicious when an Airman uses the term "everyone." I often surmise that there is an issue with the Airman, not with everyone. I take these

  • Making the right choices -- What happens after a DUI?

    June 21, I was attending Airman Leadership School at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, preparing to become a staff sergeant and a supervisor. I have intentions of making the Air Force a career and eventually would like to retire. Now, my dreams are in jeopardy due to what could have been a fatal error

  • The Best Day Ever!

    My family recently took an extended vacation to Florida. I say extended, because I actually used 14 days of leave and only four of those were weekend days. I cannot recall ever taking so much time. We landed in Pensacola and departed from Orlando. What happened in between was magical. We visited our

  • Serving openly, honorably – LGBT members part of diverse military culture

    More than 14,000 people were discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. However, since that policy was changed, people of all sexual orientations are allowed to serve our country. The Department of Defense started its observation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month in

  • Meet my Air Force FAMILY

    The Air Force family ... may sound cliché to some; but when I think of what my Air Force family means to me, I think of all the wonderful people I've met, the places I've been, the missions I've supported and the opportunities the Air Force way of life has afforded me.I break down the word family as

  • Layers of leadership

    Remember the movie "Captain America?" The main character tried to join the Army under different names and in different cities, yet he was always denied because of his size and perceived notions about his abilities. This comic book hero eventually overcame his lack of physical attributes, and

  • Family, mission, fun

    Commander's priorities - something every Airman hears from the first day an officer assumes command of a squadron, group or wing to the day he or she relinquishes that command and another officer takes the reigns. To the average junior lieutenant or enlisted airman these priorities may seem

  • "Laws of War" essential for a free country to prevail in a modern world

    The Air Force flies, fights and wins in air, space, and cyberspace while complying with the laws of armed conflict. These rules are also popularly known as the "laws of war" and "international humanitarian law." Broadly speaking, the laws of war govern when a nation may use armed force and establish

  • Fighting obesity leads to lower healthcare costs

    "Certified Healthy"In February, Joel Urdang, the Vance Health Promotion Program coordinator, and I were in Norman for an awards luncheon for schools, businesses, restaurants and the like that were "Certified Healthy Oklahoma." Vance was honored as one of these, thanks to Joel's efforts here. During

  • America – a “Spending” culture

    "Spend, Spend, Spend. It's the American Way" was the title of an article published in the New York Times in 2012. The article purported that spending is seen as a virtue in our collective, patriotic American consciousness. I am a financial counselor with the Airman and Family Readiness Center here,