26 Jan 2016

Buying a car: what you should know

Buying a vehicle isn't as simple as buying video games, a new outfit or selecting lunch. The style, gas mileage, costs and insurance are many factors to consider before purchasing a car. Nothing ruins a cool car faster than a bad deal. The next time you are in the market for a car, please consider these tips.Buying a new car1.  Know the car you

22 Jan 2016

Don't be a victim to identity theft

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. Unfortunately, identity theft can happen to anyone at any time. Many identity thieves search trash cans for personal information such as old bills or statements--both at home and in work areas. Thieves tend to target areas where they have

4 Jan 2016

Here we sit, waiting for the call

On the television the cult classic movie "Dr. Strangelove" plays for about the ninety-second time, and my co-pilot and I debate what to do with our time. Surrounding us are a few dozen of our newest best friends, all of which are also debating how to shape their evenings, sleep cycles, and most importantly what is being served at the dining

17 Dec 2015

Finding strength, resiliency through Air Force family

I joined the military to provide for my family, but I never would have expected the challenges my family would face and how we would evolve.When I enlisted in the Air Force I joined another family without intent. This family has been with me ever since, especially during my family's darkest tragedy.FamilyAfter completing basic military training and

11 Dec 2015

Leadership: a journey of lessons learned

John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach, once said, "Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." Too often leaders reduce the measurement of success to simply tangible items such as awards. This one-dimensional view devalues lessons that can be learned by experiencing failure.A leader's perception of failure and mistakes sets the

11 Dec 2015

Benevolence or bullets?

While in Air Force ROTC, particularly during the final year, we had many discussions regarding what made a successful leader and Airman. We were taught how to write performance reports and award packages, we acted out scenarios between supervisors and subordinates, and we went over the things we should do to enhance our careers. One of the tasks on

25 Nov 2015

Letter to Airmen - Thank you

18 AF Airmen,First, let me say what an honor it is to be back in the mobility business and Eighteenth Air Force! Your reputation for dedicated service and professionalism is well established and precedes you wherever you go. Whether you are airdropping Paratroopers over Spain, refueling fighters over the Middle East or returning our wounded from

24 Nov 2015

Staying safe, remaining vigilant

If you've been watching the news lately, you've undoubtedly seen the tragic results of terrorism in Paris and other parts of the world; and you may have even heard about threats in the U.S.Should all of this concern us? Sure, to an extent. While running around scared there's a terrorist hiding behind every door or shrub is obviously extreme and

23 Nov 2015

Lunchtime Leadership

Walking into the Warrior Dinning Facility for the first-ever "Lunchtime Leadership Lessons" event, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was told that a veteran was going to impart some of his experience with Airmen during lunch.I grabbed my food and sat down. I was curious about what he was going to share.The conversation opened with the

10 Nov 2015

Honoring my Veteran Grandpa

When people ask why I joined the military; my response is always, "because my grandpa was in the military, I wanted to be like him."My grandpa, retired Navy Lt. Cmdr John Phillip Shelton, spent 24 years in the Navy. He first enlisted in 1968 as an Aviation Fire Control Technician, then commissioned in 1977 as an Avionics Officer.Growing up living