8 Apr 2013

Rape: a personal perspective

I was raped in December 1990.I've never kept this part of my life a secret. I guess it's because nothing could ever change a moment in my life over which I had no control. However, it took me this long to consider telling my story in such a public forum, even after becoming a Victim's Advocate in 2006 when the 301st Fighter Wing's Sexual Assault

22 Mar 2013

It Takes a Village

"Hey, Mom, guess what!"It was an innocent start to a recent conversation with my son that served as a real wake-up call for me. When my 10-year-old told me someone had asked him if he wanted to get high, my first reaction was to begin interrogating him with a barrage of who, what, where, and how's. But he was looking at me to see my reaction, so I

6 Mar 2013

A snowstorm, a shovel and a lesson

"This is a one big mess."Those were my thoughts as I peered out the window of my second floor apartment at a vast blanket of white covering the ground. The sidewalks, steps, and parking lot of the complex were buried under more than 14 inches of snow, dumped on the area courtesy of the second-largest snowstorm on record for Wichita.Having relocated

5 Mar 2013

The hardest victory is over self

"The hardest victory is over self" - AristotleHow many times have you procrastinated over an issue because you "just didn't feel like it," didn't complete career development timely, or maintain or attain fitness? I'm sure we've all done some of these things at some point in time. Now ask yourself, of those times in which you fell short, did you end

3 Mar 2013

Try something new to help others -- and maybe yourself

Last year, Kent, a coworker from my civilian job, received a Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce award for his community service. He had been visiting the homeless in downtown Tampa for more than a year, bringing them coffee and homemade pancakes every Wednesday morning. I congratulated him on his award and told him I admired him for his work, after

6 Dec 2012

In hurricane's wake, cynic learns lesson

Prior to Hurricane Sandy, I thought the Air Force's wingman concept was just a gimmick that encouraged Airmen to poke their noses into my business, or worse, required me to poke my nose into someone else's business. For goodness sake, I thought, can't an Airman just have a bad day without another Airman trying to help? Do these nose-pokers really

6 Dec 2012

Putting my faith in Angels

Someone once said if riding in an airplane is flying, then riding in a boat is swimming. If you want to experience the element, then get out of the vehicle.For me, skydiving was bucket list item no. 34 and a serious sport that takes fellow Guardian Angel Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., to the

26 Sep 2012

5-year clock puts reemployment rights in jeopardy

Eleven years ago many of us took off our suits, welder's masks, gloves, and donned our uniforms and went off to defend our nation following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. We didn't know what the future would hold. Our employers told us to go, do our duty. We gladly accepted the challenge. Over the course of those years, many Airmen have been on and

19 Jul 2012

Service obligation starts by telling employer

In any relationship, it's important to have open lines of communication. That's particularly true for Citizen Airmen when they deal with their civilian employers.When you are going to be away from your civilian job for military service, you are required by law to notify your employer before starting your duty. Regardless of your duty status -

26 Jun 2012

Gen. Dempsey: 'We are not elected to serve'

I talk about the importance of "trust" at every opportunity. Trust is the cornerstone of our profession. It binds us with those we serve-the American people and the elected officials who represent them. This trust relationship cannot be taken for granted. We must continually earn and re-earn it every day.One way we earn this trust is by avoiding