Commentary Search

  • CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

    With the summer season in full swing and the kids out of school, the permanent change of station season is upon us. And change is definitely coming. Air Education and Training Command will even see a change of command this summer. I will also be leaving. As I wrap up my tour as the director of

  • RESOLUTIONS … AND SOLUTIONS

    Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution?It revolves around the idea that you will take something that might have been lacking from last year, make a positive change and expect some new results.I’ve never been much on New Year’s resolutions. I find that I only let myself down when two weeks into

  • DON'T 'FALL' SHORT

    We just wrapped up the Critical Days of Summer in early September and now enter the fall season, that serene, scenic time of year when the leaves change color and cooler weather gives us a welcome respite from the heat. But don't be lulled into a false sense of security. While fall might not carry

  • LIFE DOESN'T REWIND

    We are in the heart of the Critical Days of Summer. This time has historically been the season when our service sees a significant increase in safety mishaps and a corresponding rise in lost lives and shattered families. As the critical days campaign kicks off Memorial Day weekend (toward the end of

  • CHANGING WITH THE LEAVES

    As this issue of Torch comes to you, schools have begun for another new year, fall sports like football and soccer have kicked off, and a new fiscal year has started for our Air Force. Along with this new season, your Air Education and Training Command Safety staff has also seen some changes.With

  • MAKE IT THE NORM

    Over the years our AETC family has made it only one summer ­-- 2010 -- without a fatality. We must do everything in our power to make the summer of 2010 the norm and not the aberration. Unfortunately, Air Force safety statistics confirm the Critical Days of Summer, the time between Memorial Day and

  • 'I DIDN'T THINK ...'

    Do you see a familiar pattern in the following statements? "I didn't think ... the blade on the table saw was that high." "I didn't think ... I was reaching too far (atop a ladder)." "I didn't think ... anything would happen; I've done it this way before." "I didn't think ... it would happen to me."

  • USE THE BACKBOARD

    As the winter months unfold and temperatures continue to plummet, I have a conditioned response to get excited about winter sports. The change of season brought tailgate parties and midnight madness basketball scrimmages at college campuses across the country. And now, as the winter chill ensues,

  • CONTINUING THE LEGACY

    As I write my first article as the director of safety for Air Education and Training Command, let me begin with how honored I am to rejoin a team with a legacy of excellence. I have been associated with AETC for the majority of my adult life ... as a student, instructor and staff officer. The men

  • DOES YOUR CALL SIGN END IN 1?

    When flying fighters, the call sign of the flight lead of the formation normally ends in the number 1 to denote that they have ultimate responsibility for the flight. The flight works together as a team to meet the mission, whether killing bad guys and breaking things or training to do so. But while