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Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians

Commentaries

  • POWs and MIAs -- You are not forgotten

    Sept. 16 marks another day in history where we remember and commemorate the lives of our fellow Airmen, Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and civilians, and reflect upon their extraordinary sacrifices made on behalf of this country.This is a time to remember the faces of the prisoners of war and the

  • Words in Katrina's wake

    I'm a professional communicator. My job in the military is to find the right words to express things the right way. This is the first time in my career -- in my life -- that I have ever been at a loss for words.No words can describe the sense of hopelessness that engulfs you upon entering this

  • The knife fight -- remembering 9/11

    It’s been four years since the horrific attack by terrorists on American soil, an event that has so shattered our sense of security and been seared into our collective memory that we still refer to it simply by the date on which it occurred. Just say “9/11,” and everyone knows what you’re referring

  • Be smart about providing help to Hurricane Katrina victims

    We are living in very difficult times, and the stress levels can get to the breaking point before you realize it. Just the other day I had to return a brand new television to the Base Exchange I had bought only two days prior. Of course, I then had to wait in line to be served, and to top it off I

  • Character counts

    “At least I can say I served with men of character.” -- Gen. Dwight D. EisenhowerGeneral Eisenhower wrote those words to his son when rumors surfaced that he would be forced to retire during the early days of World War II. Serving with men and women of character for the good of our nation is

  • Doing what it takes to be a top one-percenter

    As a group commander, I spend a lot of time writing performance reports. We stratify our top performers -- #1 of 100, for example -- to clearly identify our very best Airmen.We would all like to measure up well within our peer group, and most of us try hard to improve every day. After years of

  • Choosing to stay in Air Force after 20 years

    About six years ago a fellow noncommissioned officer for whom I have a great deal of respect said, “I’m going to retire at 20 years because every day I work after 20 years I’m working for half pay.”My friend was referring to the retirement plan that pays half our basic pay at retirement in some form

  • Finding ways to make work fun is half the battle

    One of the phrases I always remember from my officer training days is, “If you aren’t having fun, you aren’t doing it right.”It didn’t mean you should ignore your duties and responsibilities, it simply meant you should find ways to enjoy what you are doing. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing,

  • A birthday to remember -- for a lifetime

    Many people seem to believe 40th birthdays are a big event in life, but prior to turning 40, I thought it just another birthday. Those thoughts changed recently, because my 40th will be the one birthday I will never forget.Prior to turning 40, I thought of it as one of those rare opportunities for

  • School’s open – slow down or pay the price

    It is mid August in South Texas. It is hot enough to cook an egg on the pavement and it is time for children to head back to the classroom.Yes, it is back to school time! Children have had a great summer break and parents may very well be ready to send the youngsters back to class at this point,