SOUTHWEST ASIA — I felt like everyone knew how stupid I was and because I made bad choices, he got away with it. I did make really bad choices — choices that allowed me to put myself in a position to get sexually assaulted, just two months after turning 21 years old. My story is not that…

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — A modification in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is expected to streamline personal records for better efficiency, the director of the Defense Manpower Data Center said. In an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Mary Dixon said information would now be entered into DEERS in personnel offices, rather…

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – I am one of the thousands of women who have gone to war. I am neither unique nor exceptional. If you ask around, you will hear stories similar to mine. In the past, expectations for girls did not include the possibility of growing up to be veterans. We are not born warriors….

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas  – To help improve Total Force fitness levels, Air Force Personnel Center officials are fielding new fitness resources accessible online, in person or on DVD. These resources, including the Operational Fitness Program, Xtreme Wednesday Workouts, the Air Force Fitness DVDs and the Fitness on Request kiosks, are available to all Total…

The blooms of Spring have finally made their grand appearance, so why not take a moment to go outside, enjoy the vibrant sights and breathe the sweet fragrances in the air. Each season has its own special meaning and spring reminds me of two: life and hope. A few weeks earlier, two major religious holidays…

WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. – “Hey sexy… you single?” I turned to see a fellow Airman in training; standing about five foot eight inches tall, dark hair and eyes. Over the next four months, I heard this fellow classmate repeat the same line more than a couple dozen times.  It wasn’t just me he had an eye…

TRAVIS Air Force Base, Calif. – One of my favorite sayings is “flexibility is the key to airpower.” As sequestration takes hold, coupled with budget constraints, it may become our battle cry. We live in uncertain times and the resources that appeared abundant last year will have to stretch in order to cover our mission. The definition…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Air Force released its plan, March 28, to implement force structure changes mandated by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill authorized the service to complete actions approved in previous years, such as aircraft retirements and directed execution of Congressionally-approved force structure actions. Some of these changes were outlined in…

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — “Hey, Mom, guess what!” It was an innocent start to a recent conversation with my son that served as a real wake-up call for me. When my 10-year-old told me someone had asked him if he wanted to get high, my first reaction was to begin interrogating him with a…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As service members start to receive their orders for summer moves, it’s time for working spouses to update resumes, start networking for job opportunities and contact career counselors at their new locations, a Pentagon official recommends. In an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Meg O’Grady, program manager,…