MONEY IN THE BANK
Do you like money? I do. And I like to put my money to work in ways that make more money. Conversely, and with two kids in college and a comfortable lifestyle, some of my money does not get put into...
View ArticleTHE POWER OF WORDS
Words mean things. The power of language has always intrigued and energized me. From my first speech class at Lake View High School in San Angelo, Texas, and throughout my personal life and Air Force...
View ArticleLET THE MASTER ANSWER
The phrase "respondeat superior," which is Latin for "let the master answer," isn't one of those buzz-phrases you frequently hear around Air Force circles. But employers and their lawyers are quite...
View ArticleOUT OF THE CAVE
Consider the idea of being chained in a cave, immobile since childhood, and forced to stare at the back wall. Near the opening of the cave, behind you, is a heavily used path. As light beams into the...
View ArticleSTOP THE BADNESS, MADNESS
Babies born into the world have pretty clean records. Absent are predispositions to commit crimes, establish bad habits or take unnecessary risks such as driving a vehicle too fast. However, as these...
View ArticleLOLLIPOPS AND RAINDROPS
As I stood at the main gate the Friday before Memorial Day weekend passing out safety fliers and candy and reminding people to drive safely, I had to smile as I mulled over the irony. I'd always...
View ArticleTHE BLACK BEAN
In the spring of 1843, following a botched invasion of Mexico by a band of Texans, Mexican dictator Santa Ana ordered that 10 percent of those captured be executed. To determine which of the 176...
View ArticleSUMMER OF '10
As far as memorable summers go, summer of '69, with an associated safety message, is frequently explored in high school and college government classes. Most Torch readers are too young to actually...
View ArticleYOU RAISE ME UP
On a majestically blue, warm, sunny San Antonio day Dec. 20, which was perfectly suited for golf despite being just one day shy of the official start of the winter season, I stood in front of more than...
View ArticleCLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN
Having just returned from a year-long Air Advisor mission in Afghanistan, one of the most mountainous regions of the world, it's fitting that my first issue of Torch as the Air Education and Training...
View ArticleSPRING FORWARD ... CAUTIOUSLY
Springtime brings with it many changes; we change our clocks, the weather starts to change, and many of us increase our outdoor activities. But while springing forward with our clocks to...
View ArticleWALK THE WALK
With the Critical Days of Summer upon us, it's not only time to talk the talk; it's time to walk the walk. Many people think risk management is something they just do at work -- when they are out on...
View ArticleTALK THE TALK
In the last issue of Torch, I wrote about "walking the walk" and leading by example when it comes to risk management in your daily lives. Now I want to discuss "talking the talk" as it pertains to crew...
View ArticleWINDS OF CHANGE...
In the 1990s, the Scorpions released a song called "Wind of Change" that captured some of the political changes in Eastern Europe at the end of the Cold War. Just like changes creating the "new world...
View ArticleOBLIVIOUS TO THE OBVIOUS
During my time at 13th Air Force, we ran Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, resupplying the National Science Foundation's Antarctic mission. Our folks were exposed to temperatures as low as...
View ArticleSPRING FEVER
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. In cold climates, the snow starts to melt; in the desert, the cactus are in full bloom; and in many parts of the country, you just don't know what to...
View ArticleDOES YOUR CALL SIGN END IN 1?
When flying fighters, the call sign of the flight lead of the formation normally ends in the number 1 to denote that they have ultimate responsibility for the flight. The flight works together as a...
View ArticleCONTINUING THE LEGACY
As I write my first article as the director of safety for Air Education and Training Command, let me begin with how honored I am to rejoin a team with a legacy of excellence. I have been associated...
View ArticleUSE THE BACKBOARD
As the winter months unfold and temperatures continue to plummet, I have a conditioned response to get excited about winter sports. The change of season brought tailgate parties and midnight madness...
View Article'I DIDN'T THINK ...'
Do you see a familiar pattern in the following statements? "I didn't think ... the blade on the table saw was that high." "I didn't think ... I was reaching too far (atop a ladder)." "I didn't think...
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