Post deployment/detachment lessons learned: This section would contain the unspoken truths from hopefully an AWC or AW1 perspective on how the training and preparation they did prior to a deployment or detachment paid off (or left you filing Chapter 11). This will probably be the most difficult articles to get pass the PAO (and higher) re: your successes and failures. The point you need to sell to get these articles pass the chop chain is that these are tidbits and nice-to-knows that will ensure the next person deploying or detaching is better prepared. Everything from base and ship hosting, logistics problems (and solutions), inadequate training (either overprepared or underprepared), etc. Remember that the folks at the top are usually in a "blame-storming" mindset and "we" as a rate take both the appropriate and inapproriate share of the blame.

Command and personal awards This section would contain articles announcing which commands received annual (or 18-month) awards, competion performance, etc. This helps tie the loop for folks who left the command but were eligible for certain awards to be aware of it. On the individual level, I would like to recognize folks receiving personal awards of NAMS and higher. Most importantly, any of our folks who received a XXXX of the Month, Quarter, Year, etc. awards should be documented. Usually a bio or some type of award letter is drafted to correspond with the award and that would be nice to publish as well.

Technological improvements This would be a "dicey" area to publish due to public disclosures, but it would be nice for the whole community to know of the different sensor and warfare improvements we receive. One source of this data could be the various home pages at NAVAIR, NAVSEA, and SPAWARS. I know that PMA-202 puts out a fairly good home page (or at least did) discussing improvements in our flight gear.

Liberty and sea stories This would definitely be the humor section. I was considering to call it "Tales from the Squid" or "Fractured Air Tales". It will probably be the only area where I would take anonymous posts. "The stories are real...just the names have been changed to protect the innocents (and our careers!)" Realize that your "stories" may be slightly "mod'ed" prior to publishing to protect all concern. It's not censorship, it's not political correctness...it's just good headwork. We'll let you know what has been changed prior to publishing. Don't be offended!

Aircrew Designations This portion would list all the recent AWs who have received their wings. It could also be used to announce individuals who have been positionally designated or similiar events.

Transition assistance As a recent retiree and as a person with broken service...I'm really looking forward to these articles. As AWs, we've learned that we can just about do anything if we put our mind to it. This section will provide the lessons learned from our folks who have either retired or left naval service for other career opportunities. I'd like to call it What color is your life raft? or So you want to be a rock star? We've got folks that have become LAN administrators, doctors, lawyers, teachers, MSCEs, truck drivers, gov't workers, union members...you name it. They have a wealth of knowledge that may or may not ever be presented in some book or TAP class...they're graduates of the School of Hard Knocks!

Upcoming retirements Another section that would be near and dear to my heart. I can't express how satisfying it felt to see the number of folks who attended my retirement last year. Of course, telling people they could come in flight suits and the unveiling of the AW Memorial certainly helped attendance! Retirements are milestones documenting your contribution to your Navy, community, and rate. What better way to send someone off then by showing peer recognition. If you want to publish your speech in this section...go for it! Or specific points that you incorporated in your ceremony are fitting as well. I'm sure the memory of going through the side boys (and girls) with my wife and two dogs will last for a long time...and of course... Roy Rogers singing Happy Trails capped it off!

Advancement news Another self apparent section. Will announce all of our folks who were promoted, CPO board eligible, or selections for officer programs.

Association news Another self apparent section. Will announce national and divisional association news such as community service, scholarship fundraising activities, election nominations and results, meetings, etc.

Upcoming meetings Important to our success as a rate or a community is awareness of different meetings. Your VOICE makes a difference. Unfortunately, some meetings require bucks for TAD. This will give you the opportunity to at least insert it in the budget (only to have it taken away later!). But it also gives you a chance to connect with the folks who can make the meeting and get them your comments. I used to attend lots of meetings that included the word Fleet in its title only to find only the folks inside the Washington Beltway were in attendance. Don't let others decide your fate without at least giving them some advisement.

Road to gold These articles will allow members who were recently selected for AW1 through AWCM to discuss how they "think" they were selected. It can include "pearls" and observations from folks who have sat on selection boards. It will also include how folks prepared themselves for selection to CWO, LDO, ECP, BOOST, etc.

Rescues Documenting all of our community who have made rescues and recaps of the rescue. This may require some review by your SAR POs in case you "bent" certain SAR doctrine in order to effect the rescue.

Obits The one section I don't look forward to publishing. Perhaps one of the few duplications from what is already in effect on the AW Home page. Includes both folks on active and reserve duty and those of us in the civilian sector.

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