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  • Who is getting your SGLI benefits?

    The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a great program of low cost life insurance purchased by the government from private insurers. Members are automatically insured for the maximum benefit of $400,000, unless a member "opts-out" or explicitly limits coverage in $50,000 increments. The

  • Medical squadron recognized by outgoing commander

    As I depart Yokota this week I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about a few things that I have learned here and to thank some people publicly. 1. Never underestimate what your Airmen can accomplish: During this, my second squadron command, the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron team showed

  • Unauthorized commitments can cost money

    The opening chapter of the Federal Acquisition Regulation defines a contracting officer as the only person with the authority to legally bind the government by signing a contractual instrument. On occasion the 374th Contracting Squadron learns of an unauthorized commitment. Often times we learn of

  • Memorial Day

    More than a million American service members have died in the wars and conflicts this nation fought since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775 to fight for independence. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine who died fighting in these conflicts was someone's son or daughter, father or

  • Everyone is free game during ESOHCAMP

    You can't turn on the television anymore without hearing about how humankind is taking a toll on the planet. Global warming, pollution prevention, endangered animal preservation and resource conservation are common themes. As a child in the 60s and 70s, I remember television commercials aired that

  • 374 MDOS first squadron activated in AF

    Here's a piece of Air Force trivia for you. What medical squadron was the first to be activated in the Air Force? As you might have guessed, it is the 374th Medical Operations Squadron right here. Established in October 1992, 374 MDOS was part of an objective hospital test to organize the Air Force

  • Set goals high, convince others, win big

    Think about this; have you ever flown a kite and been concerned that once it is airborne, you have little control of where it is going? The wind dictates how high and in what direction your kite will fly. You just let it loose and give it more string as wind conditions dictate. I compare this

  • The science of critical thinking explained

    Did you think there was a science to thinking? I sure didn't. A couple years back I read a book called "The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking" by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder. It changed my entire view of how we humans use our nuggets. The book is only 19 pages long. My Cro-Magnon method

  • Our responsibility as U.S. Airmen

    The Air Force of the United States of America possesses the most destructive, fast, far reaching military capability in the world. Such potentially devastating power demands the highest levels of responsibility and commitment by every U.S. Air Force Airman. The president of the United States relies

  • Life ‘compartments’ are important

    April 14 marks the 95th anniversary of one of history's most famous disasters. On its maiden voyage from Southampton, the White Star Liner "Titanic" sank in the iceberg infested North Atlantic Ocean. Thought to be unsinkable, Titanic pulled down 1,496 of 2,208 people aboard, carrying them to a