Living the Air Force core values

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timothy Procita
  • 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  I'm sure if you ask Airmen about the Air Force core values they could recite them without thought, but do they really know what these core values mean? On a personal level, they probably mean something different to each individual. But, as long as we embrace the spirit of the core values, we will succeed in taking care of the mission and our people.

The Air Force core values are tightly interwoven and dependent upon one another. You must have integrity to place service before self and if you place service before self, you will strive for excellence in all you do.

There are four reasons for observing these values as outlined in the Little Blue Book. The first reason is that "the core values tell us the price of admission to the Air Force itself." The second reason for recognizing the core values is that "they point to what is universal and unchanging in the profession of arms." The third reason for adhering to these values is that "they help us get a fix on the ethical climate of the organization." Lastly, "they also serve as beacons vectoring us back to the path of professional conduct; the core values allow us to transform a climate of corrosion into a climate of ethical commitment."

The most important core value to me and, in my opinion, the hardest for most to fully comply with is Service Before Self. My favorite excerpt from the Little Blue Book is, "Professionals cannot indulge themselves in self-pity, discouragement, anger, frustration or defeatism. They have a fundamental moral obligation to the persons they lead to strike a tone of confidence and forward-looking optimism. More specifically, they are expected to exercise control in the areas of anger, appetites and religious toleration."

How many times have you allowed yourself to be angry, frustrated or discouraged? I bet we have all been there. I think the trick is not to let it show, don't allow your peers or subordinates to know and never let it affect morale or the mission.

The core values mention self-control of your appetites. What does that mean? I think it means many things, but certainly includes not making sexual overtures to your subordinates, not drinking alcohol in excess and not indulging in any other type of personal pleasure fulfillment that places you before mission needs. These behaviors are contrary to professionalism and are not conducive to the Air Force way of life.

These are extreme violations of our core values, but what about the "little" stuff? Do you fail to discipline your subordinates because you are worried they won't like you? Is that service before self? Do you fail to point out a dress and appearance violation because you are not in compliance? Is that service before self? Do you allow someone to take leave because you're uncomfortable denying the request and it leaves the work center short-handed? Is that service before self?

I propose that these behaviors are not service before self. You serve your own personal needs and ego if you are worried about what people will think of you and are afraid to do the right thing. What concerns me most is that this type of behavior becomes so common place that it is viewed as the "norm" and destroys our standards and culture of excellence.

We ourselves are at the heart of creating an atmosphere of complacency through apathy. As a result, when quality Airmen who follow the core values make the "right call" they are viewed as unreasonable and labeled "hardcore." Making the tough, not always the popular, calls is service before self. It may not be in your best interest or the Airman's best interest, but it is in the best interest of the unit, the mission and the Air Force.

I challenge you to reflect carefully on the decisions you make, or will make, in your workplace and even your personal life and ask yourself, "Who am I serving?"