ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) – If you were approached by a co-worker, civilian or family member and asked the question, “Why do you serve?” What would your answer be? How would you internalize what you do for the Air Force to the point where you could answer that seemingly simple question? Over the past several…

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) – In the military we constantly refer to “the standard.” Most standards are developed within Air Force instructions or technical orders. They are what sets us apart from our civilian counterparts. Webster’s dictionary defines a standard as “something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model, or example.” We weigh…

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) – How are things between you and the Air Force these days? Would you say the two of you are in a committed relationship? Are you happy with the Air Force? Is the Air Force happy with you? Are either of you thinking of ending the relationship? These may sound like…

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – The national news has been quite captivating lately. I’m referring to that astounding discovery of three young women – missing 10 years — in an otherwise ordinary Cleveland suburb. Because abductions don’t often result in such a positive outcome, this particular story was pretty wonderful. I just can’t help pointing out…

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany  – Memorial Day is a young holiday, peculiarly observed. If you have not served on a detail, volunteered for Honor Guard, or flown a missing man formation over a military ceremony on Memorial Day, you may primarily associate this holiday with the running the Indianapolis 500, the beginning of our 101 Critical…

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – “Six-thirty-third Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Senior Airman – I mean, Staff Sgt. Denton speaking.” It happened again and again without fail. I had to correct myself every time I answered my office phone. It was more than a little frustrating. However, as unnerving as it was, my mistake also made me…

Every day we see signs of unsafe acts and bad driving habits by ordinary folks. Some common examples would be people walking or jogging late at night without reflective clothing in the same direction as the traffic flow or people talking on cell phones, eating fast food or reading maps while driving, but can you…

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) – Short in stature at 5 feet 4 inches, not particularly handsome, a bookworm and not exactly the life of the party, James Madison does not fit some perceptions of a leader. In today’s world, he probably would have been perceived as a nerd. But, his brilliant mind and leadership skills now…

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS) – Death is a subject that all too often no one wants to talk about until there is no option. Usually we only discuss it when confronted with death due to the loss of a family member, friend or co-worker. We are a unique group of people here. We face death…