15 Aug 2013

Talent wins games, but teams win championships

Have you ever thought about what makes great teams great? From the team owners, to the coaches, to the players themselves, dynasties expect to win. Great teams are willing to achieve greatness. Ask 10 sports enthusiasts what basketball team has been the greatest franchise in 50 years, the answers would have something in common---a great team that

9 Aug 2013

Protect yourself from identity theft

"But he that filches from me my good name / Robs me of that which not enriches him / And makes me poor indeed."- Shakespeare, Othello, Act III. Scene 3Identity theft is a term that refers to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for

9 Aug 2013

Alabama August: Residents, cyclists beware of heat stress, increased road traffic

When you've been at Maxwell as long as I have, you start noticing trends and patterns. I'm not originally from here, and I know some people not from Alabama who would prefer to be elsewhere. I'm not one of them, at least, not anymore. I've learned to appreciate much of the Southern culture, the green, rolling hills, and, for the most part, the

9 Aug 2013

Team Maxwell-Gunter prepares for consolidated unit inspection

Thirty days and a wake-up! That's the number of days left before Team Maxwell-Gunter receives its 2013 Consolidated Unit Inspection, or CUI. The 42nd Air Base Wing has been preparing for the big event for the last 13 months under the philosophy of steady-state mission readiness. Our team has been focused on the day-to-day operations that allow us

23 Jul 2013

Rabies: What you need to know

Rabies is a deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by infected animals. This potentially fatal virus is transmitted to humans by an infected animal's saliva through a bite wound, contact with mucous membranes or broken skin. The virus travels from the wound to the brain, where it causes swelling or inflammation, and this inflammation leads to

21 Jun 2013

Assaults impact mission readiness

Thank you for keeping up with this series aiding us as we prepare Team Maxwell for our consolidated unit inspection in September. Last month's commentary was focused on you: self-assessment and the roles and responsibilities you have as a military professional. I want to continue with that focus, but in a different and very serious way. I would be

7 Jun 2013

Families can work together to stop childhood obesity

Most physicians feel uncomfortable addressing the problem of obesity in a child. Many parents feel guilty about letting a child's weight get out of control, while others feel a weight problem is something their child will surely outgrow with time.I have even encountered anger from parents who don't see weight as a pertinent medical issue to be

21 May 2013

Character Lost and Found

If you know me personally, you know there are times I question character and the ways people treat each other. I mean, there are signs all over that people are treating others with less and less respect and compassion. The news is often full of examples.Within the last few weeks alone, we had the Boston Marathon bombing; two teenage girls committed

10 May 2013

Inspections: What about YOU?

The base inspector general's office continues to prepare Team Maxwell for the consolidated unit inspection, or CUI, in September. Steady-state mission readiness is a significant point for consistently and continuously demonstrating "excellence in all we do."But how do you know? What do you do to verify that you are living that principle? What do

22 Apr 2013

Confessions of a rookie instructor

Chances are had you told me a year ago that I would be an instructor at Squadron Officer School I would have called you certifiably crazy. I was so focused on being a C-17 Globemaster III pilot and presumed my career would lead to a staff tour at U.S. Transportation Command or Air Mobility Command where I could use my expertise to excel. The last