Commentaries

  • Commentary: Advice for the next generation of Airmen

    In a few days, after a quarter century of commissioned service to our country, I will be laying down the authorities, rights, and privileges of what wearing the uniform of our military symbolizes.  Therefore, I come with a message of leave-taking and farewell, and to share a few final thoughts with

  • Air Force Reserve promotes family ties that last a lifetime

    Family ties. Just the mention of those words revives memories for many in the audience. It also dates us. Don’t worry. This will not be a breakdown of the 80s as I’m pretty sure you’ve recently had your share from Stranger Things and Cobra Kai. More than a TV show, the phrase family ties describes

  • 'Tis the season ... Happy Holidays!

    ‘Tis the season for the three Rs.No, I’m not talking about reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic. I’m talking about the need to refill, rejuvenate, and reconnect.With all that 2020 threw our way, it’s understandable that we’re tired, worn out and frustrated. That’s why - this year in particular - it’s

  • Combined Federal Campaign helps make wishes come true

    It’s that time of year again when we all start hearing about the Combined Federal Campaign and thinking about if or how we want to support these awesome charities. Many times we look at the list and only see the names on a page but there are people here in this wing who have been affected by many of

  • Overcoming Obstacles Through Adoption

    MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL -- I am Tech Sgt. Kay Carbon with the 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, FL and this is my family’s story. I still get emotional about it because I’ve realized it’s comprised of many twists and turns you wouldn’t anticipate.The year is 2010,

  • Flu season around the corner

    In addition to our concerns with COVID, the flu season is fast approaching and we want everyone to be protected as soon as possible. There have been significant national delays and cost overruns with flu shots this year. As such, I would like to remind all wing members that they can get their flu

  • Change For The Better

    MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL -- I’m truly thankful that I’ve been blessed with a beautiful family, my daughters are my world and my husband is an absolute gem. I can’t imagine what I would do without them.Here’s the thing, I’m from a very small town in Ohio where diversity was just a word in the

  • Blaming Victims - Comforting Ourselves

    Victim blaming is not exclusive to sexual assault or even crime. You may hear of a friend’s home being burglarized and think, they should not have bought a house in that neighborhood, but you may also have heard of an acquaintance passing away in a car accident and rationalized that they probably

  • Share Your Story: My reflections on race, the military, and moving forward

    I couldn’t watch the video. Even repeating the details of George Floyd’s death is difficult to stomach. In the days that followed, I struggled with how to articulate my emotions. Numbness, pain and disbelief washed over me.As a Reserve Citizen Airman living in Seattle, I watched thousands march