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Commentary Search

  • From The Top: Reflections from a memorable first year

    As I reflect on my first year as your chief and commander, I have to admit I am still overwhelmed by the honor and humbled by the privilege to serve you and your families. I wake up every morning in awe of your commitment to your families and this country! I am grateful to be able to serve beside

  • What you need to know about Zika

    You might think storms rolling in would be the only major concern during Florida’s Hurricane Season, but with warmer weather and rain comes another threat – mosquitos. Here at MacDill, pest control officials make every effort to ensure you and your family is safe from these dive bombing

  • When preparation meets opportunity

    An inside look at the public affairs development team as they shape the career field through individual Reserve Officer Development Plans.

  • When Stealing is OK

    My name is Colonel Pat Miller, and I am a professional thief. I have been doing it for 19 years, and I’m not worried about being caught.

  • Great night’s sleep naturally

    Under normal circumstances, the typical American is under constant stress to perform at home and work. In our world, we don’t deal with the “typical” American.

  • The importance of volunteerism

    There is no shortage of worthy not-for-profit organizations looking for industrious and intelligent people to assist them with their missions. Many of them cannot function without volunteers. As a military member and veteran, I encourage joining veterans organizations.

  • Reconciling Free Speech

    As members of the military, it can be challenging to navigate where our rights as private citizens stop and the obligations of the oaths we swore to uphold start.

  • Reflections on a nearly 40 year career

    Cold, nervous, and somewhat excited. But I was also ready.It was Jan 1977 as I sat in the airport waiting for the plane to take me to Lackland AFB, TX for what the Air Force calls “Basic Training.” My recruiter Doug (Double) Decker told me the Air Force would teach all of us recruits how to work as

  • Leading fearlessly and openly

    Col. Scott L. McLaughlin, 446th Airlift Wing Commander, writes about how much the military has changed regarding diversity and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) inclusion among our armed forces.

  • What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

    As a young smart aleck, when people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my favorite response was, "A firetruck." I enjoyed the reactions I would get from that answer. Despite that joking response, I recognized the importance of the question and how much the answer could influence the