Joint Ethics Program

Ethics are standards by which one should act based on values and core beliefs that motivate attitudes and actions. The Air Force Core Values were established in "The Little Blue Book" on 1 January 1997 to influence Air Force personnel: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do.

Integrity First comes to mind when it comes to ethics — it means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. As part of your official duties, you must consider ethical behavior and accountability when making decisions. Conforming to professional standards of conduct is the foundation of successful leaders.

This section covers what ethics means, the Code of Ethics, and how to handle conflicts of interest.

Overview

Objective: Identify basic facts and general principles about intermediate Airmanship fundamentals.

Learning Outcomes

• Define ethics in relation to the Air Force Core Values.
• Relate code of ethics to your current and future official duties.
• State your responsibilities as an Airman when dealing with conflict(s) of interest.

Foundational Competencies

• Accountability — Accepts full responsibility for self and team; displays honesty and truthfulness.
• Influence — An intent to persuade, convince, or impress others to elicit support, make impacts, or achieve effects on others.

Summary

• Ethics
• Code of Ethics
• Conflicts of Interest

Ethics

These are standards by which one should act based on values and core beliefs such as duty, honor, and integrity that motivate attitudes and actions. However, not all values are ethical. Ethical values relate to what is right or wrong.

As an Air Force member, you must practice the highest standards of behavior, obedience, and loyalty — not just on the job, but in your relationships with people and in your dealings with the civilian community.

Honesty

Being truthful, straightforward, and candid.

• Truthfulness is a natural characteristic in an honest person. Lies erode credibility and undermine public confidence.
• Straightforwardness adds frankness to truthfulness — usually necessary to promote public confidence and ensure effective conduct of Federal government operations.
• Candor is the forthright offering of unrequested information. Required when a reasonable person would feel betrayed if information were withheld.

Integrity

Being faithful to your convictions, following principles, acting with honor, maintaining independent judgment, and performing duties with impartiality. This helps avoid conflicts of interest and hypocrisy.

Loyalty

The bond that holds the Nation and the Federal government together. Loyalty requires a careful balancing of your interests, values, and institutions in the interest of harmony and cohesion. Synonyms: fidelity, faithfulness, allegiance, devotion, reliability.

Accountability

Accepting responsibility for your actions and the resulting consequences. Includes avoiding even the appearance of impropriety because appearances affect public confidence. Accountability promotes careful, well-thought-out decision- making and limits thoughtless actions.

Fairness

Open-mindedness and impartiality are important aspects. Decisions must not be fickle, biased, or based on personal opinion. Individuals must be treated equally and with tolerance.

Caring

An essential element of good government is compassion. Courtesy and kindness to those we serve and work with help to ensure people aren't treated solely as a means to an end. Caring for others is the counterbalance against the temptation to pursue the mission at any cost.

Respect

Treating people with dignity, honoring privacy, and allowing self-determination — critical in a government of diverse people. Lack of respect leads to a breakdown of loyalty and honesty within a government, and brings chaos to the international community.

Code of Ethics

DoD 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, provides guidance on standards of conduct that relate to possible conflicts between private interest and official duties. Violations can result in prosecution under the UCMJ.

Code of ethics rules

Everyone in government service should follow these rules:

• Place loyalty to the country above loyalty to persons, party, or departments.
• Uphold the Constitution, laws, and regulations of the United States and of all governments — and never be a party to evasion.
• Give a full day's labor for a full day's pay.
• Give earnest effort and best thought to the performance of duties.
• Seek to find and employ more efficient and economical ways of getting tasks accomplished.
• Never discriminate by giving special favors or privileges to anyone.
• Never accept favors or benefits under circumstances that might be interpreted as influencing the performance of governmental duties.
• Make no private promises of any kind binding upon the duties of your office.
• Engage in no business with the government that's inconsistent with the conscientious performance of governmental duties.
• Never use information gained confidentially in performing governmental duties as a means of making private profit.
• Expose corruption wherever discovered.
• Uphold these principles ever conscious that you hold public trust.

Conflict of Interest

Your private business or professional interests must not conflict, or appear to conflict, with the public interests of the U.S. This is particularly true of activities related to your Air Force duties and responsibilities. It also applies to the private interests of your spouse, minor children, and any other household members.

You may not use your Air Force position to gain financial benefit for yourself or others. You may not engage in any personal commercial solicitation or sales to any military member junior in grade or civilian subordinates. This applies whether you're on or off duty, in or out of uniform.

Exception: a one-time sale of personal property or private dwelling to a junior member.

If you're a member of a private, nongovernmental association (charitable or non-profit), you must not take part in activities incompatible with your military position. You're prohibited from engaging in any conduct or activities that are illegal, dishonest, immoral, or would otherwise bring discredit upon the Air Force or U.S. Government.

Bribery and Graft

Do not solicit, accept, or agree to accept anything of value in return for performing or refraining from performing official duties. These prohibitions don't apply to the payment of witness fees (subpoenas) authorized by law or certain travel and subsistence expenses.

Gratuities

You and your immediate family cannot accept anything directly or indirectly in the performance of your official duties — nor solicit or accept any gift, gratuity, favor, etc.

Gifts from Foreign Governments

All AF military and civilian personnel and their family members must report any gift — or combination of gifts — that exceeds the "minimal value" of $480 or less, as periodically adjusted by GSA. Gifts must be reported to the Administrative Assistant to the SECAF (SAF/AA) within 60 days of receipt. Failing to report could result in a fine up to $5,000 plus the retail value of the gift(s).

Presents to Superiors

You may not give nor solicit contributions from other DoD personnel for a gift to an official superior. You can't accept a gift from DoD personnel receiving less pay than you. However, this doesn't prohibit voluntary gifts for marriage, illness, or retirement.

Trainees are prohibited from giving MTIs any note, letter, or gift — including items from family or friends — at any time during BMT, or during the 6-month post technical training graduation period.

Use of Government Facilities, Property, and Manpower

You may not use or allow the use of government property or government-leased property for anything other than officially approved activities. It's your duty to protect and conserve government property — equipment, supplies, and entrusted property.

Gambling, Betting, and Lotteries

While on government-owned, government-leased property, or while on duty, you may not participate in gambling. This includes conducting a lottery or pool, conducting a game for money or property, or selling or purchasing a "numbers" slip or ticket. Restrictions don't apply to authorized AF recreational activities such as bingo in base clubs.

Outside Employment

You must have your supervisor's recommendation and your commander's approval before accepting an off-duty job. You must not engage in outside employment that interferes with or is incompatible with the performance of government duties. It's your responsibility to avoid outside employment that may bring discredit upon the government or DoD.

Use of Civilian and Military Titles in Connection with Commercial Enterprises

All civilian employees and military personnel on active duty are prohibited from using their civilian or military titles or positions for endorsement purposes or to advance the credibility of a commercial enterprise.

Summary

Ethics are standards by which we should live and work. You should carefully consider ethical behavior when making decisions as part of your official duties. Don't take your position lightly, both now and in the future. The security of our Nation and its people depend on the faithful discharge of your duties.