Team Anders

Adios, captain; hello, major! So it's official...I've joined the ranks of the field grade officers! I've only worn my uniform with major rank for a few hours and wow does it look strange...good, but strange :) My family, friends and I got to celebrate this occasion on Monday, April 30th and it was a nearly perfect few hours (it would have been perfect if my dad could have joined us but he is in San Diego preparing for his USNS Mercy deployment -- if nothing else, a GREAT story to tell). Colonel Michael Chapin, USAF, retired, officiated the ceremony at The Old North Bridge in Concord, MA . He has been my mentor and friend since I worked for him as a program manager and then his executive officer during our first assignment at Wright Patterson AFB. It was quite special to have him officiate and a fun tradition to keep as he has promoted me to every rank so far (1st Lt, captain and now major)! Take a look: Group promotion to 1st Lt -- I know it isn't easy to pick ...

Just got my June issue of Parents magazine  and while reading I came across such a great short snippet-type article that I had to share. The article in their "Solutions" section contained some suggested ideas on how to keep in touch with your kids when you have to spend time apart. Unfortunately many of my friends (and probably me at some point in my career) will find themselves separated from their families when duty calls. These ideas were great - some quite common, some I'd never heard of -  so I really wanted to share (and document for future reference when it's my turn to play in some distant desert). Again, these suggestions are reprinted directly from Parents magazine - not claiming any sort of creative credit :) 1.) Count Down the Days Before you go, help kids craft a simple tear-away calendar with cardstock and markers so they can easily see when you're coming home. 2.) Look at Lovey! Take along one of your child's stuffed animals or toys and...