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Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians

Commentaries

  • Air Force culture of responsibility

    As Airmen, we have taken a solemn vow to serve and protect our nation, and I commend you for your service. With that service; however, comes great responsibility and the necessity to make proper choices. We are confronted every day with choices, both on and off duty, that can and do impact both the

  • The 'happy' medium between OPSEC and social networking: Can it be achieved?

    I can recall sitting in my office at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, when I first realized that e-mail was going to revolutionize our way of doing business. I remember thinking to myself, 'Wow, I just got an e-mail from a two-star general congratulating me on my promotion to lieutenant colonel.' In the

  • Recognize the warning signs

    Those of us who serve or work for the miltiary receive training on suicide prevention, but how many of us really apply what we learn? Are we watching for warning signs? Do we know who is at risk and how we can help them? Do we know what we can do to help? I don't know about you, but I always thought

  • Putting life in perspective 6,000 miles from home

    What's the most important statistic of this war? Bombs dropped? Sorties flown? Territory secured? I'd argue the most important number of this war as of mid-July is this: 5,059. Unfortunately, this number is not static. It grows every day. It's the number of American service men and women killed in

  • Fast track to losing stripes

    April 17 started off just like every Friday. Wake up, get ready for the night shift and get through the work day to start my weekend. What I didn't see coming was the decision I would make at the end of my night, a decision that would ultimately put my career at risk. I made a choice that would

  • 4 golden rules of leadership

    Ask any leader and I'm sure they have a leadership book or philosophy that's impacted who they are as a leader. I've read a lot of different ones throughout my career, but while there are many principles or "rules" I think help make an effective leader, these four are some of the most common and

  • Training: It really can save a life

    Does this sound familiar? "You have training next week" or "You're deploying; you need to get those computer-based trainings done," and you're thinking "not again" or "why am I doing this?" We've all been there and we've all griped at least once, but there is a reason for training. Training helps us

  • The art of objective decision making

    Making decisions is something we all do each and every day. Most decisions are made without much thought, almost unconsciously and, in many cases, automatically. Others; however, are decisions that involve time and thought, and can impact more than just ourselves. These are the decisions where the

  • NCOs: Be the example

    I remember my first duty section as an airman basic at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. We had 17 buck sergeants in the shop. These gentlemen were the heart and soul of the unit. I admired them for their wisdom and work ethic. They could answer all my questions and would take me out and show me how to

  • Dreams of freedom: The essence and beauty of America

    Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by our Founding Fathers. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks and a reason to fly the American flag. This week, as we