At the core Published Dec. 9, 2005 By Chief Master Sgt. Rodney McKinley Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pacific Air Forces HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- The core is the center, the very foundation, the inmost and most intimate part of a thing. The core is heart of the matter. When we joined the Air Force, we became part of a unique culture, and its foundation is our core values, central to all we do and all we are: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all things. Our Air Force culture and these core values give us a design not only for duty but for our whole lives. The core values apply everywhere, all the time. As Airmen in the world’s greatest air and space force, we represent the Air Force. We are Airmen whether we’re at our home station or deployed on a temporary duty assignment. The old notion that “what goes TDY, stays TDY” is simply that: a useless, outdated notion. It has no place in today’s Air Force. The senior leaders of the United States and the Air Force across the board work hard to establish and maintain cordial relationships with our allies around the world. As guests in those countries where we are TDY, we must be aware that our behavior can affect our relationships with the people of those countries -- for better or worse. When we were kids, our parents always cautioned us to “be on our best behavior” when we were guests anywhere. We’re adults now, responsible for our own behavior. And if we follow the core values, we are always on our best behavior. Most Airmen live the core values on a daily basis. But it only takes a few -- choosing to ignore those principles -- to damage the public perception of the Air Force and, possibly, even the United States. Whether we are TDY to Texas, Turkey, India or Iraq, we are the Air Force. When you’re TDY, your performance off duty is as important as your performance on duty. Your actions while TDY can affect your squadron, your wing, your major command and the Air Force as a whole -- in addition to your family and your career. If you still have the perception that you can relax your moral standards when you are TDY, you need to take a good, hard look at yourself. The Air Force has no room for you on its team. Team members look out for each other. Airmen take care of Airmen. It’s the wingman concept -- the confidence that we are not flying alone. Someone else is looking out for us to keep us on track and out of trouble. The wingman concept stretches from top to bottom -- it means commanders and supervisors at all levels being fully engaged with their Airmen, not only at home but at TDY locations as well. It means setting the right example, whether you’re a basic airman or a general. You have a responsibility, not only to yourself but to your coworkers and the Air Force, to be a good wingman. Let me re-emphasize that most of our Airmen already take the core values to heart. Integrity, service and excellence are simply part of their daily lives -- at the core of who they are. But when even one of our Airmen misbehaves while TDY, it can impact the public perception of the entire Air Force. We can’t afford to let that happen. Ever. When you’re TDY in an unfamiliar place, take a buddy with you when you’re going out. Be aware of yourself and look out for each other. Be a good Airman and you will be a good wingman too. And that’s the heart of the matter.