Football fan CMSAF Rodney McKinley uses a football analogy, specifically the need for performing the basics of blocking and tackling well to highlight a leadership message in his latest “The Enlisted Perspective.” In his words, “At [basic military training] and technical training [airmen] learn the basics, or blocking and tackling. … As leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure those basics our airmen learned are reinforced every day. … Leaders never walk by a problem. If you do, you are now part of the problem. You must never miss the opportunity to provide feedback to our airmen, positive or negative.”
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

