There are two distinct types of Airmen who serve: those who are here to make a difference (MAD) and those who are selfish and distracting (SAD). Each of us was equipped to be MAD once we graduated initial military training and our various technical training schools; we had the basic skills in our respective career…

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. ­— It’s 4 a.m., and a car parks outside the family home. Inside, a proud father of two takes one last look at his daughter and son before hugging his wife and walking out the door. As the car drives off, he stares out the window, hoping his wife and…

A goal is a result or achievement toward which effort is directed. Goals can be short or long-term, personal, professional, spiritual or physical, and are usually specific to a person or group. According to Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, you are 42 percent more likely to reach a goal…

WASHINGTON — “Juneteenth, the annual observance commemorating the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery, represents what is possible,” Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Scott said at a Pentagon ceremony today. “I am three generations removed from slavery in the state of Virginia, and so when I think about Juneteenth, I think what it…

Editor’s note: This commentary was first published Feb. 19, 2015. As I was reviewing some enlisted performance reports and decorations today, I started contemplating a huge event in my life that occurred almost 20 years ago. In April of 1995, I asked my then girlfriend Tiffani, a fellow Airman at the time, to be my…

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — While I’ve decided to live a childfree lifestyle, the Air Force, in its infinite wisdom, saw the need to issue me two kids. They are both straight out of technical training and brand new to the Air Force — and one is still too young to accept an adult…

One evening in 1981 while I was at summer camp, I took a deep breath and blew a little too hard on the bugle’s mouthpiece. The counselor who played Taps each night to signal “lights out” to the campers had agreed to let me be the substitute bugler that evening. Using only one semester of…

For many of us, the month of May contains the day we have long awaited — graduation. This important milestone could be a personal achievement or we could be celebrating with a family member or loved one.  Though graduation seems like the end, it is actually a new beginning. For a kindergartener, it is the beginning…

Editor’s note: Maj. Gregory Lewis is an individual mobilization augmentee assigned to the Defense Technology Security Administration. Regardless of your profession, many of us have been in positions defining the required leadership and management qualifications as an expectation of our ability to execute our office. Like many things, no two are alike and not one…