14 Sep 2010

Gen. Gould to fans: thank you!

Thank you Air Force Fans!A near sell-out crowd of 47,000 fans packed Falcon Stadium last Saturday helping the 2010 Football Falcons execute an exciting and convincing win over BYU! This wasn't just another beautiful Colorado Saturday. This was a very special remembrance of 9/11. During the game, guests saw a six-foot, 300-pound twisted I-beam from

8 Sep 2010

Top 10 reasons to vote for The Bird

The Bird is up for the Capital One Mascot of the Year award at www.capitalonebowl.com/vote/main, and he needs your help to be recognized as the number-one mascot in the country.Listed below are the Top 10 reasons, as determined by the Academy's Public Affairs office, to vote for The Bird. Drumroll, please!10. Looks great in Air Force blue.9. Much

9 Apr 2010

Character Corner: Ethical Health

My father-in-law recently spent a month in the hospital. At one point, a last-ditch procedure saved his life by using dialysis to remove 21 liters of excess fluid from his body in three days. After that, he recovered steadily until he was stable enough to move to rehab.The next phase of his recovery will not be as critical or dramatic as the

18 Mar 2010

Character Corner: Make an Impact

Dr. Rick Rigsby inspired all National Character and Leadership Symposium participants this year to "make an impact, not just an impression." This Spring Break, 63 cadets will travel to five separate locations throughout the Southwest to "make an impact" by donating their time to participate in Alternative Spring Break. Instead of partying with

12 Mar 2010

Character Corner: Conquering fears

In what appears sheer coincidence, within a two-day period, I heard or read several statements citing fear as the main topic. One was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Another was from the daily Words of Wisdom quoting Andy Offutt Irwin with "Don't be afraid to be amazing." In a meeting, Chief Master

22 Feb 2010

Financial counselor: save cash for emergencies

Having an emergency cash cushion is critical to financial success. Military Saves Week began Feb. 21 and continues through Feb. 27. This is a great time to get your financial house in order.Even in the best of times, it's wise to have an emergency fund to provide liquidity when you need it.I am often asked if it's better to pay down debt or save,

5 Feb 2010

Religious freedoms enshrined in Constitution

The American Airmen who comprise your United States Air Force come from diverse backgrounds. However, one thing we all hold in common is that each of us has pledged to "support and defend the Constitution of United States." Rooted in our Constitution's First Amendment is freedom of religion, a right to be protected for all Americans regardless of

5 Feb 2010

Character Corner: The Serving Leader

I recently read an excellent book called "The Serving Leader" by Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert. The book didn't really present new information as much as it stated known leadership attributes in simple terms. The book covered five areas in which a leader should strive to excel:-- Set clear goals and make them high but obtainable. Make certain

22 Jan 2010

Character Corner: What do you stand for?

According to my good friend, retired Chief Master Sgt. Bob Vasquez, "If you don't stand for what's right, you'll fall for what's wrong." In recent months I've heard many cadets express regrets about the constraints they must live with at the Air Force Academy. They must live under "the Code" while many of their friends are living the good life,

15 Jan 2010

Character Corner: To what are you loyal?

The struggle between integrity and loyalty is older than Mitchell Hall -- the ageless cadet debate, both intrinsic and shared, between turning in a classmate and thereby preserving my integrity or protecting a friend and thereby preserving my loyalty. It's easy to choose between "right" and "wrong," but choosing between two "rights" can be