Commentaries

  • Overcoming a PT test failure

    Throughout my 15 years in the military, I have always struggled with passing my physical fitness test. I'm not a huge person, and I am very active in sports. I run three to five times a week and coach youth sports as well. But no matter what I did, I always came very close to failing my PT test,

  • Carbon monoxide: the silent killer

    Two cadets were driving westbound on Interstate 70 en route back to the Air Force Academy in 1983 following a Thanksgiving weekend shared with family and friends. A nasty snowstorm had set in, making travel treacherous. Conditions on this Kansas stretch of interstate soon became impassable as the

  • Winning the CIC Trophy: A grad's perspective

    Starting with my recruiting trip to the Air Force Academy as a high school senior, I was taught that losing to Army and Navy was not an option. As an athlete you want to get on the field and not only compete, but win every game. During the week of practice leading up to a service academy game, the

  • Safety office to runners: be visible, alert

    Few bases offer the combination of scenery and challenging terrain that the Air Force Academy provides for runners. However, those who decide to run on base have to be aware of their surroundings and highly visible to motorists, especially during the early morning or early evening hours.Runners who

  • Cadet Wing welcomes Class of '80 to Falcon Heritage Forum

    The Fall 2010 Falcon Heritage Forum, themed "Class of 1980: Architects of Transformation," is scheduled to be held at the Air Force Academy Oct. 4-6.The Class of 1980, as the first Academy class with female graduates, is a prominent icon of diversity, equality and personal transformation. The

  • 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,

  • 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,

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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