• Sipping the Kool-Aid -- or Roger’s adventures in the Air Force

    You'll forgive me if I get a little nostalgic. This article marks my last chance to communicate with the people of Vance and the Enid community. As I rapidly approach my 20th year of naval service, it occurs to me that I've spent over 11 of those years working with or for the Air Force. My first

  • To my extended family -- Thank you for your service, friendship

    As many of you know, my house was hit by a tornado the night of April 25 this year. This incident was not significant in itself. The damage, inconvenience and headache of trying to fix my house as I prepare for a permanent change of station will pass, but what will stick with me is the response my

  • Leadership is an action verb

    I thought about writing a brilliant piece on leadership and pontificating to such a mesmerizing extent that you would likely have stopped reading after the first sentence. Are you still with me? I think we over-think leadership sometimes while trying to make it sound more sophisticated than it is or

  • You are a great team – here’s where we’re going next

    I'm back from 10 weeks of advanced professional military education. The Joint Combined Warfighting School helped develop my understanding of the Joint Planning process, but as most schools, the best part was meeting and interacting with the other students. However, I want you all to know I missed

  • Fly, fight and win - are you committed?

    Are the words fly, fight and win only a slogan to you or does this Air Force mantra impart a way of life for you? Any successful organization or corporation is dependent on the commitment of the individuals in its work force. Thomas J. Watson Jr., an author and business philosopher, wrote, "The

  • A changing Air Force means flying assignment flexibility

    In the weeks preceding the Assignment Night for class 09-10, students across all four undergraduate pilot training bases were made aware of the changing distribution of assignments to students. There were briefings and a letter written by General Lorenz that discussed this new trend.Both the T-1 and

  • Great leadership is "Service Respect"

    As so many of our base leaders change command this summer, it's timely to reflect upon the basis for great leadership. In my view, great leadership is understood by the phrase "Service Respect". Service denotes a linkage to the Air Force Core Values - it is motivated externally and internally.

  • Lorenz on Leadership - Develop Your Vision

    Imagine, if you will, an adaptive training environment that sits inside a bare room. This environment can be manipulated to simulate any task - from simple to complex. With the flick of a switch or push of a button, the bare room transforms into a living, breathing, interactive experience. Sounds

  • We should all be proud of our legacy

    I have written several articles for the Vance Web site and the Scoop newspaper, but the time has come to close this chapter of my career. My family and I will continue to serve the U.S. Air Force in the European Command at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. I would like to thank all of my fans

  • Have a SANE, safe and fun summer

    Team Vance, the summer heat may be late in arriving this year, but I know many are itching to enjoy the outdoors -- everything from home improvements to boating to backyard cookouts. These activities statistically involve more risk of injury and death.So it's the perfect time to examine your