An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Commentary Search

  • Flight of Freedom

    Last month we celebrated the accomplishments of our fellow Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen at the 24th annual Flight of Freedom awards ceremony. The Flight of Freedom is our annual salute to the members of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and their involvement in our Nation's defense. It's

  • The Guard Changes

    On Sunday, 15 July 2012, 67 of my fellow Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen and I participated in the Pennsylvania National Guard Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Indiantown Gap. The ceremony was between Command Sergeant Major Nicholas (Chip) Gilliland and Command Sergeant Major

  • Doing The Right Thing

    Integrity - Doing what's right...not because someone's watching but simply because it's the right thing to do, or not to do. It's one of our Core Values - Integrity First - and an important value at that. More often than not it's the "or not to do" part that we often struggle with. Just because we

  • It's A Wonderful Life

    (You may have been expecting the last part of a four part article on The Airmen's Creed; which I will try to get back to next month. Instead, this month I felt the need to talk about an issue that continues to impact the military as a whole, and our Pennsylvania National Guard family as well.) We

  • Being Faithful

    What does The Airman's Creed mean to you? This is the second part of a four part series on what The Airman's Creed means to me. Hopefully you have already seen or read the creed, or have heard it recited. The second part of The Airman's Creed reads: I am an American Airman. My mission is to Fly,

  • Looking Out For Our Future

    The holidays are often a time of reflection, and I can think of no better time than now to reflect on the future of the National Guard and how we might be able to affect that future. With Congress wrestling with the budget and the economy, budget cuts are inevitable, which will include military

  • Heritage

    As we approach Veterans Day, November 11, it would be appropriate, I think, to reflect and pay tribute to those men and women who have served, and to those who continue to serve in our nation's military. Especially to those who have made it possible for us to be doing what we're doing today;

  • Where were you 10 years ago?

    What a terrific summer. As always, it seems to go by too fast, and before I realize it, we are into the fall. I applaud all of our Airmen who assisted with the National Wheelchair Veterans Games last month in Pittsburgh. You will read more about the event in this issue but I do want to express the

  • Changing of the guard

    During the upcoming change of authority ceremony on September 10, Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Braden will relinquish authority and I will accept the authority (and responsibility) of the position of Command Chief Master Sergeant for the State of Pennsylvania. It's both an honor and a privilege to have

  • Answering the call: The birth of a 'Calico' wing

    The most amazing things sometimes have the humblest beginnings. For me, that adage is especially true when I consider the history of the "Calico" wing -- an outstanding team I recently had the privilege to lead and which had its origin in a single, late-night phone call. I was at home with my family