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Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians

Commentaries

  • Dodge ball, a lesson in integrity

    The sidelines erupt with yells of “He’s out,” or “She crossed the center.” The players look to the referees for a call, “Am I out or not?” Dodge ball games at the fitness center are an integrity-based game. There are obvious hits, but the majority of hits require the player to self-identify a hit

  • ‘I want what you have -- freedom.’

    On February 11, 1984, I married my husband in a cheap looking wedding chapel by a casino in Lake Tahoe. I was wearing 3-inch heels and carrying daisies. Little did I know that 20 years later, on the exact same day, I would be in Iraq, wearing desert combat boots and carrying a 9mm weapon.I vividly

  • What does it mean to be a 'Wingman?'

    The Romans, while not the first to understand the central principle behind having “wingmen,” were some of the first to document the importance of the wing position. The most basic Roman battle lines were arranged with the infantry in the center and cavalry on the wings. The main purpose of the

  • Tuskegee Airmen excelled in Army Air Corps

    Today’s Air Force family is a mighty quilt that unites servicemembers of all races, religions, nationalities and creeds around the globe.Our uniforms look alike, but the plurality of those who wear them is rich in culture and history.This thought made me want to learn a little more about the

  • My view of leadership

    Throughout my career, I’ve seen leaders of all ranks come and go. But when I look back, there seems to be a connection between the assignments I enjoyed and those with leaders who were involved.General Dwight Eisenhower once said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you

  • Combat lessons every Airman should know before deploying

    There I was, deployed in the war on terrorism, when I found myself under attack, again! I am not a pilot or a security forces troop; I do most of my work in an office; but while in Iraq, I had to repeatedly face enemy fire nonetheless.If you are in the military, you can expect to deploy. It is

  • Leadership: don't wait, take it

    I was out the other day with some of the fine Airmen we have here in the wing and one of them made the comment, “I can’t wait until I get the opportunity to lead.”There are many things about leadership that I don’t understand, but I do know you don’t wait on it to come, you make it happen. In every

  • OIF cause understood by many Iraqis

    I vividly remember the day when President Bush first declared that American troops were going into Iraq. I remember the incessant news coverage of some Iraqis’ negative comments about the war and about Americans. But my recent arrival in Iraq has shown me the side of Iraqis that the media ignored

  • Learning about host nation can change your perspective

    In the global war on terrorism, Uzbekistan is an ally. Because of that, I have wanted to know more about the people since I got here in late December.Now to provide you a broader perspective, Uzbekistan is a country north of Afghanistan and was controlled by the Soviet Union during the Cold

  • America at its best!

    At various times throughout my 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, I have taken the opportunity to write articles for my hometown newspaper in Vermont for my family and friends to read and for home base newspapers where I’ve been assigned.My editorials included my personal thanks for the support I