Commentaries

  • This is recruiting: share a story change a life

    Growing up in a military household has had its effects on me. Everyone always asked if I would follow in my father’s footsteps, but I never had any interest in joining.However, this changed as I entered my senior year of high school, having yet to plan what I would do once I finished. Not knowing

  • Commentary: Long Rangers, go for the WIN

    Long Rangers,We sometimes use the terms “complicated” and “complex” interchangeably to describe a difficult situation. In reality, something complicated follows a set of axioms and can be managed and solved in a predictable manner.  For example,in math terms, there is ONE correct answer and an

  • Getting Seasoned

     Readiness is one of the most important standards a member of the Air Force Reserve is tasked with reaching. A Reserve Citizen Airman should always be prepared to serve whenever called upon.I found myself asking if I was ready shortly after arriving here in March 2018 as a brand-new Reserve Citizen

  • Leadership Beginnings

    Does leadership stem solely out of a position, title or rank?  Are leaders made or are some people born leaders, as I have heard many times in my life?Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines leadership as:: a position as a leader of a group, organization, etc.: the time when a person holds the position

  • Patriotism meets Commercialism

    Some Americans may not know this, but in the past, criminal penalties were imposed on individuals who knowingly mutilated, defaced, physically defiled, or trampled upon any flag of the United States. However, on June 11, 1990, the Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court as

  • Greatest Generation

    The sun was bright, not a cloud in the sky on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2012. It was a beautiful day. The temperature was 75 degrees at 10 a.m., much warmer than expected. The drive to Oakwood, Texas, was shorter than I remembered as a child. Throughout the trip my dad would point out a landmark or where one

  • My Cup Runneth over

    The majority of military people tend to have type "A" personalities. This means we don't seek help and believe we're capable of handling everything on our own. Sometimes, everything hits you at once. You find yourself in the midst of one of those weeks where despite all you have on your plate,

  • Moving at the speed of life

    People are alike in that we seem to all start out in life at the same speed, but we each have our own obstacle course. Some obstacles never change your momentum, others slow you down a bit--or a lot--but some obstacles stop you dead in your tracks. I have always liked things that fly high and move

  • My "WASP"

    I recently had the honor and pleasure of being selected to be a military escort for Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Strohfus at the 2011 Commemorative Air Force Air Show in Odessa, TX. Ms. Betty, my "WASP", is a very active and lively 91 year old World War II female pilot.In August 1943, Ms. Betty was one of

  • “A NEW PERSPECTIVE”

    In March, I found myself wedged under the front bumper of a Ford pickup with my bike next to me in a thousand pieces. I am fortunate to be alive and I limped away from the experience with a renewed perspective on motorcycle safety.While the overall trend has started to shift downward for motorcycle