Commentary Search

  • It’s more than a name

    I was 20 years old, just finished two years of college education and had no clue where to turn next in my life.

  • Chief’s Chat: Maintaining focus

    The inauguration has passed, our new president is in the White House, and the pace of Air Force Reserve operations con¬tinues at a record tempo. As we await the signing of the continuing resolution and finalization of a budget, the 403rd Wing’s mission continues. Please stay focused.

  • Flying Jennies grow day by day

    You never know what curveballs life and, in particular, the Air Force are going to throw at you. In October 2015, I was stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base flying a standard Friday afternoon student sortie as a C-130J schoolhouse instructor. As soon as we landed I received a message to call my

  • Chief's Chat: Don't be afraid to make decisions

    First, I’d like wish everyone a happy and healthy 2017. Last month I had the opportunity to speak to the 403rd Wing’s Human Resources Development Council. In this instance we were discussing the upcoming wing family day event scheduled for the May unit training assembly. As I was listening to the

  • Holiday greetings, reflections on 2016

    The holidays are a special time of year, one we enjoy celebrating with friends and families. It’s also a time when many of us reflect upon past accomplishments and goals for the New Year. The Citizen Airmen of the 403rd Wing have made significant contributions over this past year to our nation, Air

  • Chief's Chat: Holidays time to reflect, set new goals

    As we reflect on another year coming to an end, let’s not forget those who have sacrificed for us so we have the opportunity to be here to see another year. This is also a time to focus on the future and making things better for all.   It’s been said, you shouldn’t look back into the past but look

  • I’m terrified and I will not fail

    I was sitting on the floor at Denver International Airport waiting for a flight to San Antonio. I leaned against a cool glass window in jeans and a black tee shirt, holding the Airman’s Creed on a business card with tiny letters in my hands. Several other trainees-to-be and I were taking turns

  • Chief's Chat: The importance of military family

    Air Force. Air Force Reserve. 403rd Wing, group, squadron, flight. Let me ask, did you immediately think of your military family when hearing those words? What images, stories and memories came rushing to mind? A unit training assembly? A temporary duty assignment? Maybe a deployment that was

  • Chief's Chat: What I wish I knew

    What is one thing I wish I knew before coming into the Air Force? That was a question asked of me during a recent New-Comers briefing. I can’t even recall my answer at the time, but the question has continued to ring in my head like a bell.

  • My ride through Hurricane Hermine

    I never knew that you could smell a thunderstorm — they almost smell like hot asphalt or a spark made from flint and steel.   I inhaled deeply trying to memorize that smell at 5,000 feet above the surface of the ocean in a WC-130J Super Hercules in the middle of Hurricane Hermine. It was my first