Commentary Search

  • Holidays call for “whole family” approach to safety

    When families gather for the holidays, it's natural to 'keep an eye out' for groups of nieces and nephews, sons and daughters excited to play together during seasonal celebrations. Airmen thoughtfully "childproof" their homes and check Christmas lights for faults that might lead to a shock. Families

  • Veterans who continue to serve

    November is upon us, and as you read this article we will have already celebrated Veterans Day, a holiday which commemorates our Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Sailors who have served this great nation. According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia, after the American Revolution the term veteran "came to

  • Political Activity Restrictions Reminder

    Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz's most recent Vector message encouraged all Air Force personnel to exercise their right to participate in the political process. How can they do this? First and foremost, they have the opportunity to choose their next boss, the Commander in Chief. So

  • Dog behavior relies on responsible ownership

    Various dog breeds throughout the years have been labeled as "vicious" or "dangerous" and in many areas, legislative bodies have enacted breed-specific bans or legislation to limit ownership of particular dog breeds. Recently, Ellsworth banned ownership of three dog breeds - the Pit Bull, Rottweiler

  • DUI/DUA prevention key to safety, success

    Driving under the influence remains ever-present in our Air Force today, causing the possibility of physical and legal consequences to those who do it, but also the possible death or injury of others. Ellsworth, of course, is not immune to DUIs and even cases of drinking underage. There have been 24

  • Honor guard -- a higher purpose

    Last month, as I assumed the duties of the 28th Bomb Wing director of staff, I did not realize with the job came such a unique responsibility - commander of the Ellsworth Honor Guard. At first, I was flattered by such a lofty designation, but I quickly discovered how truly remarkable the men and

  • Move away from your computer

    The Air Force Professional Development Guide states, "Subordinate leadership development is one of the most important responsibilities of every Air Force leader. Developing future leaders should be one of your highest priorities. Your legacy and the future of the Air force rest on the shoulders of

  • Leadership is action, not position

    As one of the newest squadron commanders at Ellsworth, one of my first priorities was to educate the members of my squadron on my leadership philosophy. The purpose of this article is to share this philosophy with you. The tenets are basic but sometimes assumed or taken for granted. At the end of

  • Embracing change

    Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." While this quote holds to be true, it neglects to mention one, clear inevitability - the certainty of change. Change is all around us, and whether it is pleasant or unpleasant; gradual or

  • Air Force motorcycle policies protect riders, others

    According to the Department of Defense, there have been 50 servicemember fatalities resulting from private vehicle accidents since the beginning of the 2008 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign. Of the 50, only five were from the Air Force, a great reduction from the 19 fatalities our service