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Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians

Commentaries

  • 10 Soldiers I met 1 night

    The war in Afghanistan can often seem far away. Yet recently, the cost of war became very apparent. I did not know the Soldiers' names that night. They were simply passing through. The 10 Soldiers had finished their tour of duty in Afghanistan, but none of them were going home the way they intended.

  • The little things

    Despite what I'd like to imagine, I am getting older.  With that sobering reality comes the fact that I see more and more of what makes a positive difference when dealing with other people. Throughout my experiences, particularly when I am on the receiving end, I've noticed it all comes down to the

  • Cost of freedom: Eternal vigilance

    Most of us grew up in America, or as American citizens, and enjoyed the benefits of being an American to include pursuing the American Dream -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But we took it all for granted ... until Sept. 11, 2001 -- the day our homeland and people were attacked. This

  • I am an American Airman

    When you hear the Airman's Creed, what do the words mean to you? I think about the proud heritage of the Air Force. I think about Gen. Billy Mitchell betting his career on airpower. I think about the Tuskegee Airmen and their struggle to break into a segregated Air Force. I think about Brig. Gen.

  • Plotting your career road map

    Most of us know how to drive a car, and many of us have been driving automobiles for years. I've had a driver's license for 23 years, but I've never been to New York City. As much as I know about driving, I would never drive in New York City without a map. If I did I would probably get lost, make a

  • Getting back to basics

    These are challenging times. If you're keeping up with the news, you're probably as frustrated as I am when you see editorials with titles like, "Clean up the Air Force." While we have important issues such as nuclear accountability that must be addressed, you and I both know that the vast majority

  • Get out of the box

    As my tour here at Joint Base Balad comes to an end, I've looked over the last six months and thought of all the things I've had an opportunity to do and people I've met. I've done things I said I would never do, like fly in a helicopter, and met people I've never expected to meet, like the vice

  • Any drinking means no driving

    After 29 years, it's still as if it happened yesterday. And, memory means a lot at my age. I was 18 years old and driving home on a rainy night. I had my own car; gas was under a dollar; my 8-track tape player was playing, and I was going to see the world at the expense of the Air Force. A set of

  • Show proper respect to U.S. flag

    We mark the 232nd birthday of our nation this week, and proud citizens across the country will display the American flag throughout the Fourth of July weekend as a celebration of our independence -- some of them incorrectly. Independence Day reminds me of growing up with a proud, passionately

  • Berlin Airlift reminds us of American might

    Sixty years have passed since the Air Force set out to deliver hope to Berlin -- a city of 2.5 million citizens -- blockaded by the Soviets beginning in June 1948. The prospects of successfully supplying the people of Berlin by air alone seemed dim. Operation Vittles delivered food, coal and other