3 Sep 2013

Preventing suicide is everyone's duty

Scheduled for the week of Sept. 8, the American Association of Suicidology is sponsoring National Suicide Prevention Week. Such a time prompts reflection on our efforts to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves and each other during times of heightened stress. The goals of suicide prevention are similar to those associated with the maintenance

15 Aug 2013

Silver lining of sequestration, importance of all

If there is a silver lining that can be learned from sequestration, it has to be the overwhelming notion that everyone in today's U.S. Air Force is not only significant, but crucial to accomplishing the mission; "fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace." Across the Air Force and Malmstrom Air Force Base, supervisors at all levels are

8 Aug 2013

'The Italian Stallion' hosts Fitness 101 class

Most everyone has a fictional or real-life person who they aspire to be like or somehow emulate. When I was a young teen, that person was Rocky Balboa.I can vividly recall where, when and on what channel I caught the entire Rocky Balboa saga for the first time. Sure, Balboa and I don't have anything in common. He dropped out of high school, lived

3 Jul 2013

2013 Critical Days of Summer, Week 7: Born to be Wild

As a motorcycle owner and operator, I must say that riding is quite a thrill. There is a sense of freedom when riding a motorcycle; you are keener of the surrounding environment and feel like you are part of the machine. It is different than driving a car; leaning into a long rolling corner, and being more connected to the road. The experience

27 Jun 2013

We adapt, evolve, overcome

Before 1949, U.S. Armed Forces personnel caught engaging in homosexual conduct were often court-martialed and received a dishonorable discharge. Whether or not one believes that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are choices; we can all agree that joining the military was. In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed a law instituting the

6 Jun 2013

101 Critical Days of Summer week 3: Friends

I found it highly entertaining, yet a little disturbing doing a recent search of the word "Wingman" on the internet. The top hits mocked the concept: a designated wingman leaving his socially inept buddy during a party to hang out with a group of females; websites dedicated to how to attract a member of the opposite sex; even ones that guarantee to

30 May 2013

Customer service essential

Associating the idea of customer service with a military organization would appear to be an oxymoron, such as "pretty ugly" or "awfully nice." After all, the mission of the 341st Missile Wing is to defend America with safe, secure, effective nuclear forces and combat-ready Airmen. There's nothing in that statement asking us to always be nice, is

10 May 2013

Yes man

In the movie Yes Man, Jim Carrey's character is transformed by a self-help guru who challenges him to say yes to everything. Comedy ensues when the character says yes to everything from infomercials to a jogging photography class. I am not going to suggest we all need to buy a Tempur-Pedic mattress from the TV, but I will show the power of yes, in

11 Apr 2013

The thrills of refunds, the agony of taxes

For most Americans, tax season will end on April 15. However, two groups will continue the thrill of the chase for deductions and the agony of taxes owed: those who have not yet filed their return and need an extension, and those who need to amend an existing tax return because of new information. Filing for an extensionAll taxpayers may file a

29 Mar 2013

Social media in the Air Force: A blessing and a curse

According to Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook co-founder, on Sept. 14, 2012, Facebook hit one billion users. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, the list of social media networks is never-ending.While many Airmen rely on social networking sites to communicate to family and friends back home, some may be unaware of the potential security risks and