Tagged With "clean water act"
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Virtual chat recap: Watershed education, outreach, and engagement
In this virtual chat, we discussed opportunities and challenges related to watershed education and outreach, exploring how Extension can support our audiences with resources and programming to build local capacity. As part of a New Technologies for Agricultural Extension Accelerator Program project , University of Minnesota Extension Educators are building a website, called the Watershed Engagement Programming (WEP) Hub, to support local government (e.g. Soil & Water Conservation...
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Understanding Buy Now, Pay Later Services
Keeping up with the latest financial products and services offered to consumers can be a challenge. This month, we look at Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products, a type of small dollar installment loan that is typically interest-free for consumers. This unsecured loan is often offered to consumers at the point of sale online or in-store, allowing them to pay in four or less equal installments, with typically 25 percent of the total due at the time of sale. When payments are made on time, a BNPL...
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Job Opening: Soil Health Extension Educator
INTRODUCTION The University of Connecticut (UConn) Department of Extension is seeking applicants for a full-time (11 month) non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Extension Educator. The successful applicant will assess, develop and deliver impactful extension programs on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and conservation practices. These programs will build an Extension program focused on creating more climate and economically resilient agricultural systems through improved knowledge of...
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Excellence and You!
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Will Durant Behavior change is hard. Starting something new means stopping something that's not adding value to your life. What if you thought about leadership development as a habit? Then you wouldn't have to worry about the "right" time to start. Choose wisely and align your saying with your doing. Influence is always happening. Bad driver. Happy bank teller. Slightly pleasant flight attendant. These reflect a...
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Job Opening: Water Quality Extension Educator
The Department of Extension in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Extension Educator in Water Quality. We seek an individual whose professional skills and abilities can foster the integration of extension with research to address local and regional water quality issues such as urban stormwater and agricultural runoff. This position will be housed in the award-winning Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and...
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May Is Older Americans Month: Elder Abuse Is a Social Determinant of Health
In this post, the author discusses addressing Elder Abuse to improve health outcomes for older adults and promotes aging in place. The Elder Justice Initiative at the U.S. Department of Justice provides training and resources to help promote the health and well-being of older adults.
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Feeling feelings...
When was the last time you felt sorry for someone? Did you have a hard time connecting to the reason they were suffering? Did you find yourself not caring about what they care about? This focus is sympathy, not empathy. Chances are we don't need to learn this, we just need a reminder! Sympathy When we act out of sympathy it means we understand what the person is feeling. Chances are we're not really connecting with the other person though. If we don't move toward empathy our understanding is...
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Three Keys to Sustainable Change: The Path toward Social Justice and Supporting the Well-being of Diverse Families
The path of change towards social justice and supporting the well-being of diverse families may, at times, be difficult for professionals who serve families.
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Job Opening: Associate Dean and Associate Director of Cooperative Extension at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
The Associate Dean and Associate Director for Cooperative Extension in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) must be a visionary leader for the Cooperative Extension programs. The Associate Dean of Extension serves with the CTAHR Dean, Associate Dean and Associate Director for Research, and Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the daily operations of CTAHR. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a discipline encompassed within CTAHR.
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South Dakota Student Water Conference and Eastern South Dakota Water Conference
Two exciting conferences should be on your calendar - the Second Annual South Dakota Student Water Conference on October 11, 2022 and the Eastern South Dakota Water Conference on October 12, 2022. The South Dakota Student Water Conference will be October 11 in Brookings, South Dakota on the campus of South Dakota State University. The conference features several growth and professional development opportunities in addition to the opportunity for students to present their research related to...
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Jason Weigle Joins Extension Foundation as New Impact Collaborative Program Coordinator
The Extension Foundation is pleased to announce that @Jason Weigle has joined the Extension Foundation team as its new Impact Collaborative Program Coordinator. In this role, Jason will be leading all functions of the Impact Collaborative program to help implement and assess successful offerings to Extension Foundation members and foster the ongoing development of the national Impact Collaborative Facilitator network. The Impact Collaborative is a bundle of services and events that are...
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Seaweed is on the Menu with Connecticut’s Sugar Kelp Industry
A team from UConn is using innovative research and community outreach to help make this novel food more accessible for consumers and more profitable for producers. When you crave something tasty, seaweed may not be the first thing that springs to mind. But UConn researchers and extension educators want to change that. A team from UConn Extension within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources , and Connecticut Sea Grant are using innovative research and community outreach to...
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Biodegradable Plastic Mulch: A Climate Smart Agricultural Practice
During the growing and harvest seasons, vegetable producers often begin their day before sunrise and finish as the last light is seeping into the horizon. These long days are normal but varied. Challenges such as pests, disease, climate change, and weather make each day and each growing season unique and unpredictable. Vegetable farmers control some of the variables they face – like weeds and the temperature and moisture levels of their soil – by using a product that comes with pros and...
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Micro Learning and Disney Princesses
Find out how to get big engagement with micro learning.
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National Extension Climate Initiative needs Beta Testers for Climate Curriculum
Have you wanted to learn more about climate change yourself, and how to help your clientele address the impacts it can cause? Since we first came together, members of the National Extension Climate Initiative have seen the need for climate training across the Cooperative Extension system. Our formal NECI objective is to: Promote climate education and research throughout the extension system. We have selected the EcoActUs www.EcoActUs.org certificate curriculum for beta testing among...
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K-State Research and Extension and Healthy People: Helping Kansans Access Nutritious Foods
This post is part of Healthy People 2020 in Review, a blog series highlighting how organizations across the nation are addressing social determinants of health — and how their efforts have helped us make progress toward Healthy People goals and objectives. The post describes how K-State Research and Extension, a Healthy People 2030 Champion, contributed to progress toward Healthy People 2020 objectives — as well as Healthy People 2030 objectives under the social determinants of health domain Eco
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‘Just Good Food’ is topic of URI’s fall Honors Colloquium
‘Just Good Food’ is topic of URI’s fall Honors Colloquium Speakers to address equitable, sustainable and resilient food systems KINGSTON, R.I. – Aug. 22, 2022 – Just the mention of the word food can bring to mind varying images for Americans: a big dinner with family; a low-key night at home with pizza; children and families across the globe facing starvation; the behemoths of agribusiness; and the increasing interest and participation in local, sustainable farming and food production.
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How Can Extension Help When #CaregivingHappens?
More than 90 million Americans provide care for someone who is aging, disabled, has one or more chronic conditions, just needs a little extra help, or some combination thereof. These individuals may not identify as “caregivers” but the role they play in the life of someone else is critical. November is National Family Caregiver Month and this year’s theme is #CaregivingHappens. #CaregivingHappens when we least expect it: when we are at work, running errands, during natural disasters, or just...
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Extension's Role in Addressing Social Isolation.
At a recent Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Community and Public Health Program Work Team (PWT) meeting, the topic of social isolation was discussed. Groups of Extension educators from across New York State spoke about how their existing work supports people navigating social isolation. There were also a number of ideas on how Extension could play a larger role in partnership with other health-focused community-based organizations to address this issue. What are folks doing in your LGU...
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Positive Changes
"Whatever you do out there in the world do an equal amount of work internally because if you don't your work in the world will not be as effective." - Dr. Gabor Mate' Recently attended a leadership development workshop where a Psychologist spoke and led us in some discovery exercises. He point-blank stated there are not enough Psychologists to encourage positive lifestyle changes. He asked us to implement them in some way and share the value with others! Here are the therapeutic lifestyle...
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What Does FREEDOM Mean To You?
Some of the most cherished memories from my military career are centered around the privilege of visiting with Veterans. Connecting with one of the last WWI veterans, Robley Rex , was amazing. Hearing individual accounts of WWII directly from members of the greatest generation, including Pearl Harbor survivors, was a gift. Stories from Korean War veterans, Vietnam veterans, Gulf War veterans, the many who we served alongside after the attacks on September 11, our allies, and even veterans of...
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Celebrating National Rural Health Day 2022
On National Rural Health Day, we celebrate with the #CDC the #PowerofRural, and the many programs and professionals striving to protect rural communities' health through Extension programming and resources! The Extension Foundation is proud to support the critical work many programs are doing to bring health resources, tools and education to rural communities. Below are projects supported by the Extension Foundation that show the impact Cooperative Extension is making in rural communities...
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Some things I think I think...
The great sports broadcaster Dan Patrick used to host a podcast with the title "Things I think I think". During a presentation to our team, we were reminded of his show and it sparked my own thinking about what I think I think. Here are a few to ponder... Curiosity over Certainty When we remain curious we're open. We have a growth mindset. We see challenges as opportunities. While we can have aspects of our lives we're certain about, like our core values, in daily interactions it often leads...
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RFA: ECOP Health and Workforce Program Action Teams: Resilient Economies and Community Health (REACH)
ELIGIBILITY: Competitive opportunity available to ALL Land-grant universities (LGUs) (1862, 1890, 1994) by completing a simple online application. The Extension Foundation in partnership with the ECOP Health and Workforce Program Action Teams, is offering two opportunities to apply and be selected to pilot a community development initiative in a community of their choosing. More specifically, successful applicants will have the opportunity to pilot test how Cooperative Extension can catalyze...
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New "Water Saver" publication documents Master Irrigator Program
A new publication - Water Saver: Oklahoma Master Irrigator Program - is available from the Extension Foundation. It documents the Oklahoma State Master Irrigator Program, which is helping Oklahoma farmers respond to the challenges they face due to decreasing water levels (a consequence of climate change.) Inspired by a program developed by the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District, a team of academics at Oklahoma State University created a Master Irrigator program to help farmers...
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New Publication Available: Siempre Juntos (Forever Juntos)
Siempre Juntos (Forever Juntos) is available on the Extension Foundation bookshelf in a flipping book format. The Juntos program focuses on educating high school Latinx students and equipping their families with the knowledge, skills, and resources to ensure high school graduation and increase college access and attendance rates. This publication provides an overview of a sustainability guide that the North Carolina State University Juntos team created, and provides tips for creating Juntos...
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A Template for Better Health: New publication details Diabetes Prevention Online Toolkit
The Extension Foundation has added a new title to its library. A Template for Better Health: Diabetes Prevention Program Toolkit was w ritten by Vanessa da Silva, an assistant professor and Extension specialist at the University of Arizona and an NTAE Fellow. The publication details the process undertaken by a national team of Extension experts to create an online hub to encourage and support Extension’s adoption of the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The toolkit is a critical part...
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"Bridging the GAPS: Approaches to Treating Water On Farms" Curriculum Available as Flipping Book
“Bridging the GAPS: Approaches to Treating Water on Farms” - a curriculum designed to help producers understand and address the regulatory requirements for ag water treatment in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) - has been reissued in a flipping book format by the Extension Foundation. Preventing foodborne illness and protecting public health are critically important to producers. Sanitary irrigation water is also mandated by the USDA; producers are required to monitor, treat, and...
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Clearinghouse for Cleaner Water: New publication explores online resource hub project
The Extension Foundation has added a new title to its library. Clearinghouse for Cleaner Water: University of Minnesota Hub was w ritten by Anne Nelson and Anne Sawyer of the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension. The UMN team is creating the Watershed Engagement Programming (WEP) Hub to support watershed-related outreach and engagement efforts to help address the state’s efforts to improve water quality. The team decided to create the Hub after surveying several dozen soil and water...
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NEW: National Extension Tourism (NET) Conference Proceedings Available
The Extension Foundation has added a new title to its library that documents a wide array of tourism-related applied research and outreach programs. The National Extension Tourism 2021 Conference Proceedings - published with support from the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development Center (NERCRD) - is now available online. The mission of the National Extension Tourism network (NET) is to integrate research, education, and outreach within Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant to support...
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NEW: National Extension Tourism network e-zine highlights successes, presents case studies
NEW: National Extension Tourism network e-zine highlights successes, presents case studies The Extension Foundation has added a new title to its library that documents a wide array of tourism-related applied research and outreach programs. The NET Effect: Members of the National Extension Tourism network help raise the bar in sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation is now available online. The 57-page publication contains eight case studies that explore innovative Cooperative Extension...
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Leadership ABC's
A = Attitude One of 2 things within your control; attitude and effort! Attitude is everything, pick a good one. B = Brave When you believe strongly in something or perhaps it scares you a bit, let your courage shine through. Be brave enough to go first and model the way. C = Character This is your behavior when nobody is watching. You won't always have the training and education for the situations you find yourself in. Your strong character will get you through. D = Dependable You do what...
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Safety First!
Each of us strives to fulfill basic needs as humans otherwise we're surviving instead of thriving. When we perceive a situation isn't safe our fight/flight/freeze mode kicks in automatically so we can live through it. It's a great adaptation humans have developed over the millennia. We wouldn't be here without it. The problem comes when we live in this mode more than we feel safe. Cortisol and adrenaline flood our system even when we aren't actually in danger. Prolonged exposure to these...
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FREE Roaming Equids and Ecosystem Sustainability Network hosts a free webinar
Dear Extension Foundation Partners, I am writing to share with you a phenomenal opportunity that facilitated psychological safety and crucial conversations about the sustainable management of free-roaming equids at the 2023 Free-roaming Equid Summit held last fall in St. George, Utah. The Summit brought together stakeholders from across the spectrum of human emotions, values, and perceptions about wild horses and burros and their management. Summit participants engaged BLM and USFS line...
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2 thoughts...
When you feel the surge, resist the urge. There are times in our lives when we feel threatened. Some are real. Some aren't. Our bodies process these situations exactly the same. When threats aren't real often we let our fight/flight response take over. In these moments we react as if in real danger. The actual danger here is not having the self-awareness to realize the "threat" is perceived and be able to calm ourselves down. If we succumb to the survival hormones flooding our bodies we...
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Healthy Eating Resources for Families Facing Food Insecurity
As any parent can tell you, it can be tough to get your kids to eat healthy foods. Proper nutrition is an important part of raising happy and healthy families. But what happens when proper nutrition is difficult to obtain? Not having enough food to eat is a growing problem for many families, so it can be hard to eat healthily when food is limited. Whether a family is facing a lack of access to healthy foods or affordability issues, this challenge of food insecurity puts families through...
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UNH Extension seeks State Specialist, Community Conservation
The Extension state specialist in community conservation provides statewide leadership in land conservation and stewardship to sustain the natural resources of New Hampshire. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, N.H., campus. It is a grant-funded, non-tenure track, 100% Extension appointment. The specialist will provide education and technical assistance to communities, land trusts and organizations seeking to conserve and steward...
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Beliefs on the Leadership Journey
Getting clear with ourselves about our beliefs helps connect us to our core values. They will shift over our lives so it's a constant journey of discovery. Here are some things to ponder as you check in on your journey. Your Leadership Philosophy Defining what the huge topic of leadership is to you is of utmost importance. It helps us get clear on our approach, communicate it to others, and measure how we're doing every day. Here's mine right now... It's realizing it's not about me &...
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Dam Safety Awareness Day: How Does a Changing Climate Impact Dams? USDA Scientists are Looking for Answers
How Does a Changing Climate Impact Dams? The Agriculture Research Service is Looking for the Answers Media contact : Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov How do the extreme weather changes resulting from climate change impact the condition of our nation’s aging dams? Do sudden shifts from extreme precipitation events to flash droughts put this infrastructure at risk? These are the types of questions researchers like Dr. Sherry Hunt, a research leader and acting location coordinator at the USDA...
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USDA Studies Determine that the Way We Treat Our Land Impacts Water Availability
Studies by USDA Agricultural Research Service Determine that the Way We Treat Our Land Impacts Water Availability Media Contact : Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov What impact, if any, do farming and ranching practices have on how much water is available downstream? That was the question scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Agroclimate and Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit in El Reno, Oklahoma, set out to answer in a series of studies conducted in Central and Western Oklahoma.
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Celebrating Active Aging
By ADM Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health In May we celebrate two National Health Observances, Older Americans Month and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month , both of which offer opportunities to explore the benefits of regular physical activity and their importance to healthy aging. Older adults – individuals aged 65 years and older – can reap big rewards from sitting less and moving more. As we age, the activities we do in everyday life can become more challenging. Being...
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5 Reasons Estate Planning is Vital for Caregivers
While most Americans plan for retirement, many neglect another crucial aspect of financial planning – end of life or estate planning. Although about 6 in 10 Americans have a retirement account (Census Bureau, 2020), only 1 in 3 have an estate plan according to Caring.com’s 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Study. Estate planning is one of the most important, yet often overlooked aspects of caregiving. When someone becomes a caregiver for a loved one, their focus is primarily on providing...
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Social Determinants of Health for Military Families in Transition
By: Jenny Rea, Ph.D. , Edited by Anna Peterson Arizona is home to 500,000+ service members, veterans, and their families. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Arizona Coalition for Military Families’ 13th Annual Statewide Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. This annual event is Arizona’s only conference that brings together the military, government, and community. The symposium focuses on strengthening services and support for Arizona’s military-connected population. As Extension...
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FALCON 2023 Annual Conference registration is now Open. Please Register Now!
Register Now! Dear 1994 Land-grant Colleagues and FALCON members, The First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 19 th Annual Conference, scheduled for October 13-15, 2023, at the Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado. Please register for the conference now. As always, the conference will include sessions in 1994 land-grant teaching, extension programs and research that benefit Native American students, communities,...
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Coaching or Mentoring?
Not that many years ago it wasn't very cool to have a coach for personal development. It was seen as somewhat of a weakness if you sought out a coach for help. Today, it's different. You want to learn and grow because you're after increased effectiveness. It's cool to have a coach. On the other hand, mentors have been a big part of personal and professional networks throughout our lives. These relationships continue to be a vital part of our development and the quality of our lives. Mentors...
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June Check in: Recap of this Year's Program Center Stage Webinars!
Cooperative Extension implements community-driven impactful programming across the system. To showcase these programs, the Extension Foundation hosts a monthly series called Program Center Stage , which invites Extension teams from diverse areas to spotlight their programs and project methods, strategies, and impacts. This series serves as a platform for Extension professionals and partners to connect with these programs, gain insights and explore opportunities for collaboration or program...
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Happy 4th of July!
Independence Day. Fourth of July . The founding of our nation. Family, fun & fireworks! On this day in 1776, our thirteen original colonies declared independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence document outlines our national foundation of freedom, democracy, and equality. The very first celebration was a year later in Philadelphia. Today, we mark the day with parades, picnics, and fireworks. Historically, July is a big month for the Cooperative Extension Service as...
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Helping Military Families Inflation-Proof Their Budget
For over two years, U.S. inflation rates have exceeded their long-term average of about 3%. Like all Americans, military families have experienced a loss of purchasing power as their income cannot buy as much as it did previously. Individuals cannot stop inflation but they can mitigate its impact. Below are six inflation-fighting strategies for Extension professionals to discuss with Service members: Needs Versus Wants Analysis - During inflationary times, it is more important than ever to...
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What keeps senior leaders up at night?
Our family had the pleasure of being stationed in Tokyo, Japan while my wife and I were in the U.S. Air Force. While Japan and the other countries we visited were amazing, it was a particularly complicated time in the Pacific region. Most notably, North Korea's leader was threatening war. Additionally, many career fields in the Air Force lacked the people to sustain the operational pace required to maintain peace and stability in the region. Because of these situations, several military...
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Feel the surge? Resist the urge!
A few years ago an assignment came my way due to a lack of personnel with the right experience. It featured a lot of diverse tasks to prepare a team for a challenging assignment involving advanced training, remote communication, outside agency networking/coordination & team building. After months of painstakingly detailed work, my bosses felt I had not asked the right questions, sweat the small stuff enough and let too many “balls drop”. In a one-way conversation, they fired me. This hit...