Airman’s Creed

The Airman's Creed is the statement of identity that unifies every Airman around a common warrior ethos and a shared heritage.

The Creed

I am an American Airman. I am a warrior. I have answered my nation's call.

I am an American Airman. My mission is to fly, fight, and win. I am faithful to a proud heritage, A tradition of honor, And a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman, Guardian of freedom and justice, My nation's sword and shield, Its sentry and avenger. I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman: Wingman, leader, warrior. I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter, And I will not fail.

History and Significance

The Airman's Creed was introduced in 2007 by General T. Michael Moseley, then Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to reinvigorate the warrior ethos in every Airman. It replaced the various separate creeds the Air Force had used before (the NCO Creed, the SNCO Creed, and others) with a single statement every Airman shares, regardless of rank or specialty.

Each stanza builds on the one before it: who you are, what your mission is, what you defend, and the promise you make to the Airmen beside you. The closing lines (never leave an Airman behind, never falter, will not fail) capture the wingman culture at the heart of the service.

When You'll Recite It

You will memorize the creed in the Delayed Enlistment Program or early in BMT, and you will recite it many times throughout training, often from memory and under pressure. The final line is traditionally shouted. Learn it cold before you ship, and you will free up mental energy for everything else BMT throws at you.