19 Oct 2010

Be accountable

"I'm not the regular crew chief." "It's not my program." "They didn't count all my push-ups." "This isn't my normal job." How many of you have heard, or maybe even used, these excuses when your performance didn't measure up? We are all accountable to someone: to our commanders, organizations, country and taxpayers. Even our president is accountable

12 Oct 2010

Seize the opportunities that come with mistakes

A long-standing military axiom asserts "no plan ever survives first contact with the enemy." You can't plan for everything and things will surely go wrong at some point. That's true in combat and it's true in life. We can fly by the seats of our pants or we can attempt to plan every aspect of our lives down to the smallest detail; either way,

4 Oct 2010

Integrity first

"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office," -- Dwight D. EisenhowerMany people tout the Air Force core value of integrity first. It's truly a great place to start to develop a work ethic. Integrity

29 Sep 2010

Mission is "Theme No. 1"

When I reintroduced myself to Team Little Rock, I outlined my five leadership principles that are preeminent in the 314th Airlift Wing's perspective: mission--standards--partnerships--innovation--focus. Today's focus is the mission--one that we as Airmen take personally. We "own" our mission. Let's be frank. That's a nice sound-bite, and easy

21 Sep 2010

Mission excellence in all we do

Integrity, Service Before Self and Excellence are the Air Force core values we live by and cherish.For many units to include our own, the third core value has often translated into a goal of mission excellence. For combat airlifters, mission excellence is often thought of as delivering personnel and supplies anywhere, anytime, every time. This is

15 Sep 2010

Happy 63rd Birthday Air Force!

We mark our Air Force's 63rd birthday on Saturday with a celebration at Hangar 1080. For those young and young at heart, this is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage, honor, and valor since our birth on Sept. 18, 1947.It's also a time to reflect on those who've come before us, and the accomplishments that ensure our role as the nation's sword

14 Sep 2010

How do you serve?

Last week, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Marson wrote a great editorial in which he discussed integrity and excellence. I will continue in that vein and discuss what I believe Service means; and more specifically, how we can most effectively serve.Several years ago, as I prepared to leave Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., for Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, to take

7 Sep 2010

Standards and discipline

"Be tough! Set your standards high and insist that your people measure up. Have the courage to correct those who fail to do so!" - Retired Gen. Louis Wilson, Pacific Air Forces commanderHave you ever been a part of an organization that earned an "Outstanding" rating from the inspector general? Have you ever been assigned to an organization that was

31 Aug 2010

From the AMC commander: a message to Mobility Airmen

As we look toward the Labor Day holiday and the end of the active summer months, I want to take a moment and tell you how very proud I am of the work you are doing here at home and around the world.Each of you is making a difference in our world every day. Whether you're supporting the mission from your home station or you're deployed to a forward

31 Aug 2010

Another new chief in our Air Force

By the time this article's printed, I'll have had the honor of officiating at a chief master sergeant promotion ceremony for a widely respected senior NCO, one that so many of us said was "sure to be a chief" as we worked with him over the last oh-so-many years. Like other Airmen who achieve this coveted rank, he was inspiring to work with -