The AF Core Values exist for all members of the AF family. The definition of the word core means the innermost or most important part; simply, the heart of something. Value is a principle, standard or quality regarded as worthwhile or desirable.
In essence, AF Core Values are at the heart of everything we do, and are therefore highly valued. The presence or absence of these values is measured by a person’s behavior. They are the backbone of our military discipline, and underlie how we interact with each other to fulfill our mission.
AF Core Values are:
INTEGRITY FIRST
SERVICE BEFORE SELF
and
EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO
Integrity First
The willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking. Integrity is the foundation for all other values and is the cornerstone for building trust. Integrity is the single most important part of character. It makes Airmen who they are and are as much a part of their professional reputation, as their ability to Fly, Fight and Win.
Airmen must be professional, both in and out of uniform. Integrity is not a suit that can be taken off at night or on the weekend, or worn only when it is important to look good.
People judge us by our actions to see if we live up to their expectations as preservers of freedom, justice and our democratic way of life. Anything less, risks losing the trust of those we serve, and puts the reputation of the AF in peril.
Integrity is the ability to hold together and properly regulate all the elements of one’s personality. A person of integrity acts on conviction, demonstrating impeccable self-control without acting rashly.
These are the values that promote Integrity First:
- Courage - We must do what is right even if the personal cost is high.
- Honesty - Our word must be our bond.
- Responsibility - You must acknowledge your duties and act accordingly.
- Accountability - Never try to shift the blame to others or take credit for the work of others.
- Justice - A person of integrity practices justice. Those who do similar things get similar rewards or similar punishments.
- Openness - Encourages a free flow of information within the organization and seeks feedback from all directions.
- Self-respect - Respect oneself as a professional and a human being.
- Humility - A person of integrity grasps and is sobered by the awesome task of defending the Constitution of the United States of America.
Service Before Self
Your commitment and dedication to the security of this nation, the preservation of our nation’s freedom and the values we believe in, must take precedence over your personal desires.
Service Before Self represents an abiding dedication to the age-old military virtue of selfless dedication to duty at all times and in all circumstances-including putting one’s life at risk, if called to do so.
The Service Before Self value deals with accepting expeditionary deployments and assignments, accepting jobs without scheming for “face time” while others do the mission. Further, Service Before Self does not mean service before family.
Airmen have a duty to their family as strong as that to the Service. The difference between service to your family and to the Service is, there are times the Service and Nation will require you to be away from home.
Your responsibility to your family includes preparing and providing for them when deployed or as duty requires.
These are the values associated with Service Before Self:
- Rule Following - To serve is to do one’s duty. Our duties are most commonly expressed through rules.
- Respect Others - Always act in certain knowledge that all persons possess a fundamental worth as human beings. Maintain Discipline and Self-Control - Professionals have a fundamental moral obligation to the persons they lead to strike a tone of confidence and forward-looking optimism.
- Refrain from Anger - Apply reasoning and understanding; refrain from expressing hostilities in the work environment.
- Control Appetites - Those who allow desire for temporary pleasure to cloud their judgment, for example by making sexual overtures toward subordinates, are unfit for military service. Likewise, the excessive consumption of alcohol casts doubt about an individual’s ability to maintain discipline and self-control.
- Practice Religious Toleration - Worship, or not to worship, is an individual choice and freedom. No one should try to force their religious views on anyone else. Individual peer-to-peer discussions are alright but no one should do anything that implies “official” approval of one set of beliefs over another. The AF is a team and needs everyone to accomplish the mission. Public prayer (outside of some special ceremonies), evangelizing, proselytizing (converting to your religion) or overtly religious messages in official communications can be offensive to others of different faiths or beliefs and are divisive to the team. Always be professional and respectful of others.
- Have Faith in the System - To lose faith in the system is to place self before service.
Excellence In All We Do
Demands Airmen to constantly strive to perform at their best. This includes continuously searching for ways to improve one’s-self and new and innovative ways to do the mission. This is what will propel the AF into a long-term, upward spiral of accomplishment and performance.
Excellence In All We Do is seen through:
- Product or service excellence – Focus on providing services and generating products that fully respond to customer wants and anticipation of customer needs.
- Personal excellence – Seek out and complete professional military education (PME), as well as, stay in good physical and mental shape.
- Community excellence – When members of an organization work together to successfully reach a common goal.
- Mutual respect – When people view others as having fundamental human worth.
- Benefit of the doubt – When people reserve judgement until they have the whole story.
- Resources excellence – As people aggressively implement policies to ensure the best possible cradle-to-grave management of resources.