June 24, 2009 Gifts are for sharing Today, after another busy day on "the Rock," a few of us sat around the office and began to discuss what we respect in good leadership. Mrs. Cheryl Fraser, the 19th Airlift Wing commander's secretary, made the point that the best leaders understand that their gifts and talents are to be used to take
June 24, 2009 Adversity...it's not if but when Life often brings with it unforeseen events. Perhaps you've heard the saying "life is what happens when you have other plans". It's easy to appreciate the unexpected change if it's a better job, winning the lotto or a long awaited promotion. However, the unexpected often comes in the form of
June 19, 2009 Are you growing Tiggers or Eeyores? President Obama recently thanked veterans of the D-Day landings in France saying "our history has always been the sum total of the choices made and the actions taken by each individual man and woman. It has always been up to us." Amen. Our lives and our organizations are what we decide to make
June 19, 2009 When did you decide not to be an Airman? I was talking to Mrs. Pat Sheppard, secretary for the 19th Airlift Wing vice commander, this week about how we can improve on being the best base in the Air Force. Her response was everyone needs to understand that service to our nation is vital. She further relayed that being an Airman is not just
June 10, 2009 An ounce of creed and a dose of humility go a long way During our Commander's Call last week, I had the privilege of reciting our Airman's Creed with the men and women of the 314th Airlift Wing. The next day, when I had time to reflect on what it meant to me, I recalled a statement made by the late and honorable Dr. Martin Luther King: "If you can't
June 10, 2009 Mentor or “tormentor”….it’s all supervision During your career you have heard what it is to be a leader and mentor, but at some point we may have needed that "tormentor." The "tormentor" can change our behavior when we become halfhearted. I remember back in the day when my first supervisor was not only a mentor, but an excellent tormentor.
June 10, 2009 Each one teach one Yesterday, I was talking to my neighbor, Senior Master Sgt. Mark Misewicz, and I was blown away for his concern about his fellow Airmen. While many people focus on their next promotion or things that bring personal accolades, Sergeant Misewicz focuses on developing those behind him. I've heard it
May 29, 2009 Chance or Choice? People say all the time, "life is short, make the most of it," and it's easy to agree with that adage. Unfortunately, most people don't take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. I see many people every day who have a wide array of decisions they would like to make but are unsure of the
May 29, 2009 373rd TRS, Det. 4: Birthplace of a C-130 crew chief Little Rock AFB is known as across the Air Force as "Home of the Herc." One organization that has contributed directly to this honor is the 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 4, and could be called "birthplace of the C-130 crew chief." "Students first spend 4 months training at Sheppard AFB and
May 29, 2009 Loyalty up and down the chain It never ceases to amaze me how successful the U.S. Air Force is. We have the most motivated and well-trained Airmen in the world. We are fortunate to have the support of our countrymen as well as incredible technology. Inherent in our ability to succeed is the loyalty that we must show both up