13 Feb 2018

Winter in New England

The weather in New England this time of year may be frightful, but there’s an abundance of events taking place for Cape Cod Air Force Station personnel to keep morale delightful. Despite “bomb cyclones” spreading record flooding and frigid temperatures across much of New England, military members and their families assigned to the 6th Space Warning Squadron are provided with a wide range of events to enjoy during the winter months. 6 SWS members and their families receive unparalleled support from a variety of local organizations such as the New England USO, the Cape Cod Military Support Foundation, the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, and the Otis Civilian Advisory Council.

5 Feb 2018

Valentine's Day

It is fitting that as we celebrate Valentine’s Day during the month of February, we spend some extra time thinking about the people we care about. My kids have already started the annual ritual of deciding which Valentine’s cards and candy they want to hand out to their classmates. But beyond the flowers, chocolates, and cards we exchange, it’s important for us to take that extra step and truly engage with our family, friends, and fellow Airmen (capital A to include all ranks and our valued civilian co-workers).

29 Jan 2018

Redefining a Shotgun Leader: An Adaptable Approach

Adaptability and versatility are key competencies of modern leadership. The unpredictable, dynamic nature of our business demands that we prepare our Airmen – both personally and professionally – to face challenges that require these skills to be successful. While there is no one path to developing these traits -- each individual will have their own approach as they mature and collect experience -- a critical component towards making adaptability and versatility more than mere ‘buzzwords,’ is how we apply these principles in our daily lives. One method I suggest is to consider your overall goal, and focus on selecting the appropriate tool(s) to meet your objective. This applies to any task: a project, an assignment or attempting to select the perfect gift

23 Jan 2018

Setting Yourself Up for Success in the New Year

A new year brings new opportunities, a time to reflect on the previous year, and renewed hope of what can be in the year to come. As a result, many people feel compelled to make a “New Year’s Resolution” in which they will strive to modify their behavior in pursuit of a goal. However, statistics have shown that fewer than 10% of people who make these resolutions successfully see them through to fruition. Here are just a few tips to reverse that trend and set yourself up for success in 2018.

16 Jan 2018

New Year's Resolutions - Why Change? Promise to keep doing the good stuff!

Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo. - Has anyone ever heard someone say “Starting in January, I’m going to exercise the same amount I do now”? Or “Last year was great! I’m going to do the same things this year”? Maybe “I feel good, so I’m not going to change my routine in 2018”? Probably not, but, why don’t we hear more things like this? Why are New Year’s resolutions always about ‘change’? Why don’t we hear more re-affirmation or commitments to the things we are doing right?

9 Jan 2018

African American / Black History Month

As 2018 begins, the 21st Space Wing Equal Opportunity Office hopes that individuals remain professional and respectful throughout the new year. When everyone treats each other in this manner, complaints are far and few.

28 Dec 2017

Be grateful

Happy New Year to the outstanding men and women of the 21st Space Wing and the Colorado Springs community! Over the past four months, I had the privilege to serve as the commander of a forward deployed space squadron as part of a joint, coalition team at an austere location in Northern Syria. Our elite team of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines continue to work by, with and through regional partners such as the Syrian Democratic Forces to militarily defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). I am forever grateful to serve my country alongside such an amazing team – it’s been the experience of a lifetime. This holiday season, I’d like to share some personal stories with you to help your New Year be just that much more enjoyable.

12 Dec 2017

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

While the song certainly refers to special and meaningful parts of most typical Christmases, it can sometimes be a little different for those of us serving in the military. Sometimes we are able to take leave and travel home to spend time with family and friends or have them travel to wherever we are stationed to spend the holidays with us. When we have those opportunities, we are truly blessed and should be thankful that we have the chance to be together and reminisce about “the glories of Christmases long, long ago,” as the famous song also reminds.

5 Dec 2017

Financial Health in the New Year

Big holiday dinners with your family and friends, vacations to far-flung locations, and the joy on a child’s face when they open the perfect present. The holiday season is indeed full of priceless moments. But they don’t come cheap and those big dinners, travel expenses, piles of presents, and a myriad of other holiday-related expenses can do serious damage to any spending plan.

28 Nov 2017

Taking care of Airmen

It is likely that at some point in your career you have heard the phrase “taking care of Airmen” and may have even thought that this is a responsibility that falls solely within the realm of commanders, first sergeants and supervisors. While it is certainly true that those in leadership positions are entrusted with significant responsibilities in this area, we all have a role to significant role to play in this regard - followers, peers and leaders alike.