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  • Too often leaders reduce the measurement of success to simply tangible items such as awards. This one-dimensional view devalues lessons which can be learned by experiencing failure. A leader’s perception of failure and mistakes sets the organizational tone. - Chief Master Sgt. Jason Steege, 92nd Medical Group Superintendent. (Courtesy photo)

    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
  • (U.S. Air Force graphic/2nd Lt. Shelley Gregory)

    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
  • Lt. Gen. Samuel D. Cox Commander, 18th Air Force

    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
  • Air Force Eagle Eyes

    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
  • (U.S. Air Force graphic/Airman 1st Class Nick Daniello)

    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
  • My grandpa, a retired Navy Lt. Cmdr, is the main reason I joined the military. Veterans Day isn’t just another holiday for me, it is the day I think of all the military veterans who have sacrificed, both in war and in peace, to protect America and the American way of life. I thank my grandpa for serving, helping me grow up and encouraging me to join the military. (Courtesy photo)

    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
  • Senior Airman Thomas Stang, 5th Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller, demonstrates “peep-hole-driving” on Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Nov. 13, 2014. “Peep-hole-driving” is a driving practice in which only a small area of the front windshield is cleared leaving drivers vulnerable on all other sides. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

    Come on, peephole! Throw in the towel

    If you've been stationed at a northern tier base for more than one winter month, you're likely guilty of being a "peephole driver" - scraping just enough frost or snow off your windshield or letting your struggling defroster melt off a few square inches to where you think it's safe to drive. In fact, you might even be a serial offender.Here's the
  • people graphic

    Focus on PEOPLE - not promotion

    The new U.S. Air Force promotion and stratification process is a hot topic concerning our Airmen. When addressing recent chief's and shirt's panels, I have found it best to emphasize and encourage our Airmen to establish and follow a proven leadership philosophy. Too often our Airmen are focusing on the end result or the next promotion and not the
  • Mental health issues and factors that lead to suicide are no respecters of rank, job, gender or age. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking there’s a demographic that’s “safe” and to whom we don’t need to pay attention. Every Airman matters and we need to care for each other accordingly by investing time and building relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Capt. David Liapis/U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy/Released)

    Follow up - it can be a matter of life and death

    She was a hero. She was someone who had the courage to act when it mattered most. She was a true wingman. She saw the warning signs of depression and suicidal ideations in a friend, she made the right calls, made the right decisions and her friend's life was saved. This Airman knew the warning signs well, because she had been there before.I had the
  • (L-R) Airman 1st Class Aaron Oden, 92nd Air Refueling Wing administrative apprentice, Col. Brian McDaniel, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander, and Retired Lt. Col. George Swagel cut the cake during the Air Force Ball Sept. 18, 2015, at Spokane Wash. Oden was the youngest Airman at the event and Swagel was the oldest. Fairchild Air Force Base members celebrated the 68th birthday of the U.S. Air Force.

    Airmen ... get involved in your Air Force

    Being a new Airman, at a new base, in a whole different part of the country can be challenging. Starting a military career, in-processing and attending the First Term Airman Center program can maximize stress levels. On top of having to establish one's self in the operational world, there are events to attend, volunteering to do and then maybe a
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