11 Sep 2021

It’s okay to ask for help

This commentary reflects one Airman’s personal experiences seeking mental health treatment throughout his time in the Air Force, and the positive impact it has had on his life and career.

28 May 2019

The right attitude while making it better

When the opportunity arose for me to provide commander’s commentary to be published after I head off to my next big adventure, I was equal parts excited and terrified. Would the Knights of the 21st Space Wing laugh at my self-deprecating humor? Is it possible to get fired after my change of command?  What could I write that might translate across

27 Feb 2019

Diversity: Our National Character

In 1946 my grandfather, Johnnie Thompkins, joined the U.S. Marine Corps at a time when black recruits were trained at separate facilities. He went to boot camp at Camp Montford Point, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where black Marine recruits were trained from 1942-1949. These first “black Marines” are now referred to as the Montford Point Marines and are part of the rich history of the Corps, similar to how we embrace our Air Force history through the Tuskegee Airmen.

19 Nov 2018

What does it really mean to be a Wingman

Having served now for almost two decades I can say that the philosophies and training associated with being a Wingman have not really changed. At least twice a year, we come together as organizations and discuss the four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness (Physical, Emotional, Spiritual and Social), deep-dive into the warning signs of depression or in severe cases suicidal ideations, and engage in a sport or fellowship activity to end the day. The training is designed to facilitate open dialogues so our past experiences can translate into lessons learned making us better wingmen. The training sessions are helpful, but what happens between those focus days? How do we care for each Airmen and properly react to their needs during the remaining 363 days in the year? I argue THAT is the real definition of a Wingman, the constant culmination of daily connections and the small acts of kindness show how we care for our brothers and sisters. What follows is the best example I have ever seen.

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