8 Jan 2010

Character Corner: First and Always

Between 60 and 70 percent of high school and college students cheat, depending on an article by Martha Brockenbrough called "Cheaterpants!"The article addressed how cheating is gaining an unfair advantage, but what I found disturbing was the brief discussion on how clever the cheaters had become. Ms. Brockenbrough notes that cheating "lightens the

7 Jan 2010

Academy, partners committed to quality housing

Housing privatization is an Air Force-wide effort that will significantly change the way we build, manage and fund our housing communities. Housing privatization brings several very good things to the table, including new houses and renovations to existing homes, that we could not otherwise have afforded as a military service without our corporate

10 Dec 2009

Character Corner: Does honesty matter?

Much to my dismay, my 8-year-old son has become a pro at telling his parents what he thinks we want to hear. A few months back, my son Jack and his friend Autumn were painting pictures. We set up a table for them in our garage and moved our cars into the driveway. After they'd been painting for about two hours, I asked them to stop painting and put

3 Dec 2009

Falcon Eyes: Trash-talking 'litter-acy'

Several months ago, 10th Air Base Wing leadership unveiled the Falcon Eyes program, focused on base appearance, improvement and excellence in which everyone at the Academy can get involved. The program stresses personal responsibility from a "good housekeeping" perspective along with a common-sense approach to base-wide cleanliness and maintenance.

20 Nov 2009

Character Corner: What USAFA gave this graduate

Albert Einstein once said, "Education is that which remains when one has forgotten everything learned in school." While I've certainly forgotten much of what I learned here long ago as an engineering major, some things stuck with me. In fact, four specific skills I took from the Air Force Academy have been keys to my effectiveness as an officer.

9 Nov 2009

Families: The Quiet Warriors

Wikipedia describes Veterans Day as "an annual American holiday honoring military veterans." It goes on to describe a veteran as "a person who has or is working in the armed forces, or a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation or office." At the risk of alienating my brothers and sisters in arms with whom I served more than

30 Oct 2009

Character Corner: My honor is my life

While I was in high school,before many current cadets were born,I read a quote in a book that has stuck with me to this day: "My Honor is My Life."That quote has remained with me because it embodies what the first core value says -- Integrity First. Honor is not something that you can turn on and off, it is not something to play with to see if you

26 Oct 2009

Preventing domestic violence is everyone's business

A woman is physically assaulted in her home every 15 seconds in the United States. In El Paso and Teller counties, five people died during domestic violence crimes in 2008. Abused women commonly experience fear, shame, depression, anxiety, difficulties sleeping and confusion. But not all domestic abuse involves physical violence. Emotional abuse

26 Oct 2009

Character Corner: Cadet learns important lessons through honor probation

My name is Cadet 1st Class Robert Mobley and I am a Class of 2009 cadet at the Air Force Academy. I am still here because I committed a violation of the honor code last semester. I was very fortunate to be granted the privilege and opportunity to serve on honor probation. While most people think that honor probation is a very hard ordeal that takes

14 Oct 2009

Safety: Winter snow season approaches

Mother Nature will bestow winter upon us with its share of snow storms, icy road conditions and adverse weather. Once again, the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron has geared up for the snow season. As you drive around the base, you will notice that snow route signs and snow gates are in position. These are designed to guide you through the safest parts