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Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians

Commentaries

  • The first step is the hardest

    It started with an assignment I wasn't too keen on taking. We all have them, where we have already been there, done that and wanted something else. I knew the assignment would be difficult since I recently retrained into a different career field. I hadn't expected, or been told before arriving that

  • What you can't learn in a classroom

    May 12 was the day my oldest son, Phil, turned 7. I remember turning 7 very well -- it was the age I was finally allowed to have a Barbie! It was also the year I lost one of my best friends. It was a big year! But on this day Phil learned a little about the world around him, and I watched a bit of

  • Lorenz on Leadership: Widows and orphans left behind

    On April 27 in Kabul, Afghanistan, eight United States Air Force Airmen were shot and killed in the same action while serving our great nation and our Air Force. On that same day, three other Americans from our sister services also died in other actions around Afghanistan. These eight Airmen, two

  • Engineer or teacher?

    It has been five months since I arrived at Forward Operating Base Morales-Frazier. With this being my second deployment as an engineer and contracting officer representative, it seemed to me that this would be a simple assignment, but I have since come to realize that being an engineer is not my

  • Where have salutes gone?

    During an Airman Leadership School graduation at a previous assignment, a Navy senior chief gave a motivating speech to challenge the leaders of tomorrow. This was quickly followed by the introduction of the "dead fish."The installation commander gave the Levitow Award and other academic and

  • Leading with cancer

    Six months ago I would have never used leadership and cancer in the same sentence. I would likely have not even used these two words in the same week. That was before Dec. 13, 2010. I am a wing commander and I am working through colon cancer. I'll be honest; if not in my current position I would

  • Remember our heroes, and their families, this Memorial Day

    In 2008, I went to a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery for an American hero. The hero I saw laid to rest that day was surrounded by many, many more heroes -- his family.That funeral was held on April 9, 2008, for Maj. Robert F. Woods, an Airman who was missing in action and buried at

  • Your story matters

    When I sat down to pen this commentary, I sifted through leadership quotes. I thought about all the cerebral, ornate language from squadron officer school that lulled me into a slumberous submission. I thought about all of the other commentaries I've read throughout my career and how someone,

  • 'Watchful warriors' can help prevent suicides

    What is it in us that seeks finality?As humans, life has many challenges and rewards. Too often the rewards seem few and the hardships plenty. For the military Airmen, those hardships are defined by personal issues and stressors from obligations to duty and country. I find myself asking, "How have

  • The last ride

    I handed a coin to the driver saying, "You are taking my brother-in-law on his last ride. I don't want you to forget this." No one who knew Maj. Philip Ambard will ever forget him. He was born in Venezuela, but loved his adopted country passionately. He joined the U.S. Air Force, quickly moving up