• Lessons from failure

    Thirty-two. Thirty-three. Thirty-four. Thirty-five -- time’s up. Somewhere in Texas a senior airman failed his fitness test. He couldn’t complete the minimum requirement for abdominal crunches. Dragging himself back to his car, ashamed and furious with himself, he realized that he was now one of

  • An open letter to the men and women of the 21st Space Wing

    Knights, 32 years ago when I started my military career at as a freshman at Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, my goal was to graduate and receive a commission in the United States Air Force. A stretch goal was promotion to captain. The honor of serving as the vice wing commander of the 21st Space Wing

  • 101 days of summer: Have fun, think safety

    It seems like just yesterday as I perused Facebook, a post caught my attention with “Today’s the 110th day of January!” Yep, with all the snow in April, it felt like Colorado’s winter would never end. Fortunately, the cold weather has finally moved on, and summer will be quickly upon us.

  • Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: #NotJustApril

    April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The goal of SAAPM is to raise public awareness regarding sexual violence and to educate individuals and communities on prevention. While any form of unwanted sexual behavior can be uncomfortable or difficult to discuss, it is an issue that

  • Dignity & Respect

    Ask anyone in the workplace what treatment they want most from their employer and coworkers and they will undoubtedly say they have a desire to be treated with dignity and respect. This is why one of Col. Todd Moore, 21st Space Wing commander’s priorities is “promoting a culture of dignity and

  • Being ready in a crisis

    Early on the morning of 9/11, I woke with a start. It was not because I instinctively knew something bad was going to happen – it was because my crew partner was screaming my name and asking me to get out of bed. As a First Lieutenant missileer stationed at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, I was

  • Setting Yourself Up for Success in the New Year

    A new year brings new opportunities, a time to reflect on the previous year, and renewed hope of what can be in the year to come. As a result, many people feel compelled to make a “New Year’s Resolution” in which they will strive to modify their behavior in pursuit of a goal. However, statistics

  • Taking care of Airmen

    It is likely that at some point in your career you have heard the phrase “taking care of Airmen” and may have even thought that this is a responsibility that falls solely within the realm of commanders, first sergeants and supervisors. While it is certainly true that those in leadership positions

  • Good wingmen make a difference

    I cracked a couple of puns with a masked man I assumed to be a doctor. He said he was sorry, but I knew it wasn't about the puns. He showed genuine regret.