The Air Force (AF) takes pride in its rich heritage; part of our heritage is Airmanship and our AF Core Values. Throughout your AF career, you will continually use the AF Core Values to help guide you down the right path.
Using your Airmanship and AF Core Values will help you have great success throughout your military career.
Airmanship-Core Values
Airmanship is defined as living up to the AF Core Values and making them a part of who you are. Your moral character, conduct and commitment are essential to becoming an Airman. Everything you do, on and off duty, must be consistent with the AF Core Values.
Roles and Responsibilities of Airmen
As Airmen, you must understand the AF’s Enlisted Force Structure, AFI 36-2618 “Little Brown Book.” Know the roles for your specific tier. Airmen possess technical knowledge from On-the-Job Training (OJT), Career Development Courses (CDCs), and Operating Instructions (OIs).
Airmen possess professional knowledge from studying the Air Force Handbook 1, Airman (AFH 1), pursuing professional development courses and reading professional literature such as books on the Chief of Staff of the AF (CSAF) recommended reading list.
Airmen must seek out opportunities to strengthen community ties by getting out and volunteering within the community. In addition, Airmen need to pursue the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) degree for your respective career and continue with higher forms of education.
Show Respect for Authority
This is one of the most difficult adjustments for Airmen to make when entering the military service. It is important to learn to follow orders in a timely manner. DO NOT question or complain (except to clarify or identify a safety issue).
Military organizations cannot function without respecting authority as it goes hand in hand with discipline; once you have one, you attain the other. Showing respect is a vital component for our nation’s ability to carry out the mission.
Customs and Courtesies
At first, it may be difficult to fully appreciate their importance, but they are at the very core of military life. They are symbols of professionalism; they serve as a constant reminder of our commitment to our country and those in the profession of arms who served before us.
An example of a custom and courtesy is saluting; it is more than a mere gesture. It is a sign of camaraderie and respect. It communicates professionalism and loyalty to the mission.
Common Courtesies
Always treat others with respect and human dignity regardless of rank, even if they fail to do the same for you. Be a role model -- set the example for others to follow by demonstrating the right behavior. Develop the reputation for being calm under pressure (lost tempers and angry outbursts have no place in a professional environment).
Professional Image
The way you dress and wear the uniform reflects upon the entire AF and impacts public opinion. The manner in which you wear your uniform represents the type of Airman you are to others.
It vividly shows your professionalism and whether or not you are worthy of being an Airman. Your appearance should command respect and represent the AF 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your behavior in public places, what you do, what you say and how you look, reflect credit or discredit upon the entire military service. When wearing your uniform off base, ensure it is within AF standards and looks as sharp as possible.
When wearing civilian clothes, follow the rules of good taste and dress for the occasion. As part of your professional image, every Airman is responsible for maintaining AF fitness, weight standards and a healthy lifestyle so they are battle ready.
Deployments test physical abilities far beyond day-to-day life at your home station.
All Airmen Must Live by The Air Force Core Values
The AF Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do does little good to simply recite them; you must live by them. They should be the heart of your ability to carry out all of your roles and responsibilities.
Know the core values and their subcomponents by reading “The Little Blue Book.” They should also be a guide for everything you do, both on and off duty. Find a reason to make these values your own. Let’s take a look at some situations that could be related to core values.
On 30 August 2007, a B-52 bomber mistakenly armed with six nuclear cruise missiles, flew from Minot AFB, North Dakota to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The six warheads went without proper nuclear surety until an Airman discovered the mistake.
In March 2008, US officials discovered the Air Force (AF), along with another agency, had accidentally sent nuclear missile nose cone fuses, instead of helicopter batteries to Taiwan. It took the US 17 months to get the fuses back under proper control.
These incidents resulted in disciplinary action, loss of certifications and new leaders being assigned. Dozens of officers were disciplined, relieved of command or resigned in the aftermath; approximately 60 Airmen temporarily lost their certification to handle nuclear weapons.
Most significantly, the Secretary of the Defense replaced the Secretary of the Air Force and the AF Chief of Staff.
Social Networking
The AF is reliant on new technology to conduct day-to-day missions. This reliance carries over into the personal lives of our Airmen.
With the push of a button, Airmen are able to send messages, pictures, and other information to family, friends and strangers across the globe. Use caution when associating your military affiliation on a public website; remember the following information:
- You are sharing information to the world
- You represent the AF and the US as ambassadors
- In carrying out this awesome responsibility, the lives of others and the security of our Nation rest on your shoulders
You are personally responsible for what you say and post on social networking services and any other medium. Regardless of the method of communication used, Air Force Standards must be observed at all times, both on- and off-duty.
You must avoid offensive and/or inappropriate behavior on social networking platforms and through other forms of communication that could bring discredit upon the AF or you.
Avoid behavior that could be harmful to good order and discipline, respect for authority, unit cohesion, morale, mission accomplishment, or the trust and confidence that the public has in the AF.
If you violate federal or state laws and regulations and policies through inappropriate personal online activity, or any other form of communication, you are subject to disciplinary action.
Video Sharing
Sites like YouTube, Google and other search engines are very popular. When uploading a video on the internet, you are sharing it with the whole world. Many military members think that one little video won’t hurt; however, that “harmless” video could put you or your wingman in danger.
Our adversaries can collect information from several different videos. You must avoid offensive and/or inappropriate behavior at all times. As a military member, you are a representative of the AF and you must uphold the AF Core Values when using these sites.