Commentary Search

  • America celebrates Independence Day

    In the past 231 years, since the Declaration of Independence was signed and democracy was born from a mother known as the United States, servicemen and women have fought and continue to fight to establish and maintain personal liberty. Just as important, these patriots continue to bring the comforts

  • It’s all about ability, motivation, attitude

    Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do, and attitude determines how well you do it. An Airman's ability is developed and honed through basic and technical training, career upgrade training, Professional Military Training and beyond. The Air Force provides all

  • Stuff I learned as a lieutenant

    I know everyone has their own "pearls of wisdom" out there, but I wanted to share a few from my past that remain with me today. Safety first My first assignment as a maintenance officer was with the 92nd Logistics Group at Fairchild Air force Base, Wash., where I was commanded by Col. James Lemons.

  • Attention to Detail

    Air Force leadership is making strategic decisions about the Air Force of the future. This leadership expects, and rightly so, that at the base level, our Airmen are paying attention to the details and moving us toward their vision. The devil is in the details and our job as a part of Team McConnell

  • Coming home

    Recently I returned home from an AEF rotation and was amazed at the outpouring of support the American public has for our servicemen and women. I've been in the Air Force for 28 years, but this was the first time that I had ever deployed or redeployed on a commercial airline. Every other time it had

  • Why do you serve?

    Life is hectic for today's Airmen, even more so as we continue to wage the Global War on Terrorism. Our to-do list becomes longer and longer and keeping one's priorities straight is often a confusing task. As a young captain, I had the privilege to work for a very wise colonel who provided me a

  • 101 Critical Days of Summer begin; Don’t be ‘That Guy’

    Every year we lose about 57 Airmen, not in combat, but in large part, on America's highways. I've always found it strange we can conduct combat operations safer than we do in our off-duty pursuits. At this year's rates, we are going to lose more Airmen than we have in years past. With personnel

  • Memorial Day: Our heroes are not forgotten

    On this Memorial Day, we remember, honor and give thanks to those who died in service to this nation. Originally called Decorations Day, following the end of the American Civil War, it was not until 1971 when Congress passed the National Holiday Act designating the last Monday in May as Memorial Day

  • Outgoing MOS commander shares lessons learned

    As my two years as a commander here come to a close and I head for different adventures, I want to leave behind some insights meant mainly for younger Airmen but applicable to any military professional. The words I just used, military professional, are the basis for my message. All of us have chosen

  • Team McConnell shines through all

    Team McConnell - what a ride! For the past three years I have had the awesome opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder with and help lead the finest, leaders, wingmen and warriors the Air Force has to offer. Leaders, in three years, you have been challenged mightily and often! Be it Distinguished