A Profession of Arms: Our Core Values, Lecture notes of Innovation

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – INTRODUCTION

A PROFESSION OF ARMS .......................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2 – OUR OATHS

OATH OF ENLISTMENT ............................................................................................... 7

OATH OF OFFICE, OFFICER ....................................................................................... 7

OATH OF OFFICE, CIVIL SERVANT ........................................................................... 7

Chapter 3 – AIR FORCE CORE VALUES

LIVING THE CORE VALUES ........................................................................................ 8

INTEGRITY FIRST ........................................................................................................ 9

SERVICE BEFORE SELF ........................................................................................... 10

EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO …………………………………………………………… 11

CORE VALUES – THE WHY ……………………………………………………………… 12

Chapter 4 – THE CODE OF CONDUCT

ARTICLES 1 THROUGH 6 ………………………………………………………………... 13

Chapter 5 – THE AIRMAN’S CREED…………………………………………………….. 14

A PROFESSION OF ARMS

No profession asks more of its members than the Profession of Arms. As we state in our Airman’s Creed, we have answered our Nation’s call. It is a higher calling, and it comes with a higher standard. General Ronald Fogleman, our 15th Chief of Staff once said, “We are not engaged in just another job; we are practitioners of the Profession of Arms. We are trusted with the security of our Nation, the protection of our citizens, and the preservation of its way of life. In this capacity, we serve as guardians of America’s future. By its very nature, this responsibility requires us to place the needs of our service and our country before personal concerns.” That responsibility was given to each and every one of us when we raised our right hand and swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. When we joined our Air Force with a sacred oath, we accepted a sacred trust from the American people, one that goes beyond anything else in society. As members of a joint team, our profession is distinguished from others because of our expertise in the justified application of lethal military force and the willingness of those who serve to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. No other profession expects its members to lay down their lives for their friends, families or freedoms...but it is what our profession readily expects. We are professionals. As volunteers, our sworn obligation is to the Constitution. Fighting America’s wars is an ugly business; there is nothing pretty or glorious about warfighting, but it must be done. Our status as the world’s greatest Air Force was earned by those who have served before us and is carried on by every Airman who wears the uniform today and by the civil servants who bring continuity to the mission of the Air Force at home and abroad. Every Airman is a leader of character. This identity calls on us to live honorably, lift others to their best possible selves, and elevate the performance of the team. We do this by owning the pursuit of our identity, engaging in purposeful experiences, and practicing habits of thought and action consistent with our Core Values.

Chapter 1- INTRODUCTION

Every Airman began their service in our Air Force by reciting the Oath of Enlistment or the Oath of Office for officers and civil servants. The oath is a humbling reminder of the seriousness of the Profession of Arms. Throughout our careers, we must continually reflect on the meaning of the words and the gravity of our commitment.    OATH OF ENLISTMENT “I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God (optional).”  OATH OF OFFICE, OFFICER “I, _______, having been appointed a (rank) in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God (optional).”  OATH OF OFFICE, CIVIL SERVANT “I, _______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God (optional).”

Chapter 2 - OUR OATHS

“Before you can lead others, you have to lead yourself. We must develop leaders of character that are ready to create and foster environments of respect, inclusivity, and trust. When Airmen know they are valued, have high quality of service and quality of life, and are empowered to reach their full potential—there are no limits to what we can accomplish.” General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. 22 nd Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Values represent enduring and guiding principles for which we as individuals or organizations stand. “Core” values are so fundamental that they define our identity. The United States Air Force has clearly defined its identity by these three simple values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do. For those of us who join this proud community of Airmen, whether officer, enlisted, civilian, active, guard, or reserve, being a part of the Air Force family requires that we commit to living these values, on- and off-duty. This is the expectation of our profession and is the standard against which our fellow service members and the American public hold us. This commitment to our values demonstrates respect for the Air Force, for others, and for the mission at hand. The Air Force professional is a trusted servant of our Nation who adheres to the highest standards of character, courage, and competence. How we act represents to countless others the collective identity of the United States Air Force.

LIVING THE CORE VALUES

Understanding the Core Values is relatively easy. The true challenge is to live them. It is a commitment that never ends and one that always matters. We all have the ability to display integrity, both professionally and personally. We have all placed ourselves in a position to serve a greater purpose and we all have the innate desire to achieve excellence. Yet there will be moments where living and acting by the Core Values will be challenging. These moments are also opportunities to prove, through our actions, that we genuinely embody these Core Values. In doing so, we honor the heritage and continue the legacy of those who served before us and sacrificed so much. It is through this alignment of our actions with these values that we, as an Air Force, earn the public’s trust, strengthen our service, and accomplish our mission. Each of these Core Values is further defined by virtues (desired behaviors and characteristics) we must practice and demonstrate in our daily lives, showing we truly do value Integrity, Service, and Excellence. Consistently practicing these virtues results in habits of honorable thought and action, producing an Air Force professional. Air Force professionalism is a shared belief in and a commitment to honorable service based on our Air Force Core Values.

Chapter 3 - AIR FORCE CORE VALUES

SERVICE BEFORE SELF

The choice to serve is a decision to hold ourselves to a higher standard; it is a calling, a daily commitment that takes energy, dedication, and sacrifice. Selfless service places demands upon us which are not levied upon the American public or those who choose other professions. Selfless service begins when our Airmen take the Oath of Office or Enlistment, but it does not mean we let go of all that we hold dear - our family, loved ones, and sincerely held beliefs. We embrace a disciplined approach to rule-following, self-control, respect for authority, and respect for the beliefs and worth of others. NOTE : Airmen must practice self- care first to be able to serve others. The virtues that demonstrate Service Before Self include:  DUTY: Duty is the obligation to perform what is required for the mission. While our responsibilities are determined by the law, the Department of Defense, and Air Force instructions, directives, and guidance, our sense of duty is a personal one and bound by the oath of service we take as individuals. Duty sometimes calls for sacrifice in ways no other profession has or will have. Airmen who truly embody service before self consistently choose to make necessary sacrifices to accomplish the mission, and in doing so, we honor those who made such sacrifices before us.  LOYALTY: Loyalty is an internal commitment to the success and preservation of something bigger than ourselves. Our loyalty is to the Nation first, the values and commitments of our Air Force second, and finally, to those with whom we serve. Loyalty to our leaders requires us to trust, follow, and execute their decisions, even when we disagree. We offer alternative solutions and innovative ideas most effectively through the chain of command. Leaders demonstrate loyalty by respecting those who serve and treating them with dignity, compassion, and true concern for their wellbeing. Ultimately, loyalty is demonstrated by helping each other act with respect and honor.  RESPECT: Respect encompasses self-respect, mutual respect, and organizational respect. This three- dimensional view requires us to embrace the unique value of all individuals and treat everyone with dignity. We must always act in the certain knowledge that all Airmen must be treated with respect and boldly speak up, even when it is uncomfortable, to assert this truth. Further, respecting others requires a commitment to recognize and root out prejudices, biases, and stereotypes. We must engage genuinely, honestly, and with an empathetic and open mind. We must honor the Air Force and others by following our words with actions. Respect must be embraced mutually by military and civilian personnel in all grades or positions and demonstrated in the everyday actions of all Airmen. Without it, we simply cannot stand strong in the defense of our Nation. Mutual respect strengthens teamwork, supports increased communication, reduces stress, and diminishes conflict. Put simply; it means treating others the way you would want to be treated and creating an environment, through your words and actions, where every Airman can serve to their full potential.

EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO

Excellence In All We Do does not mean that we demand perfection in everything from everyone. Instead, this value directs us to continuously advance our craft and increase our knowledge as Airmen. We must have a passion for continuous improvement and innovation that propels America’s Air Force in quantum leaps toward accomplishment and performance. The virtues that demonstrate Excellence In All We Do include:   MISSION: Mission encompasses operations and excellence in stewardship. The complex undertaking of the Air Force mission requires us to harness the ingenuity, expertise, and elbow grease of all Airmen. We approach it with the mindset of respect, pride, innovation, and a continued commitment to anticipate and embrace change. Our work areas, our processes, and our interpersonal interactions must be undeniably professional and positive. Our people are the platform for delivering innovative ideas, strategies, and technologies to the fight.  DISCIPLINE: Discipline is an individual commitment to upholding the highest of personal and professional standards. Airmen commit to a life of discipline and self-control. We demonstrate it in attitude, work ethic, and effort directed at continuous improvement, whether pursuing professional military education or developing ourselves physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Each Airman represents the entire Air Force. Our appearance, actions, and professional and respectful presence shape the culture of the Air Force and the reputation of the entire military profession.  TEAMWORK: Teamwork is essential to triumph at every level. Airmen recognize the interdependency of every member’s contributions toward the mission and strive for organizational excellence. We not only give our personal best but also challenge and motivate each other to perform their best. We gain respect through our actions and strong work ethic to build team trust, and we give respect to others for their contributions. We carry our own weight and whenever necessary, help our Wingmen carry theirs. We serve in the greatest Air Force in the world, and we embrace the idea that our part of the Air Force meets the world-class standard.

The Code of Conduct outlines the basic responsibilities and obligations of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. All members are expected to measure up to the standards described in the Code of Conduct. Although developed for Prisoners of War (POW), the spirit and intent are applicable to service members subject to other hostile detention. Such service members should consistently conduct themselves in a manner that brings credit to themselves and their country. The six articles of the Code of Conduct address situations and decision areas that any member could encounter to some degree. The Code of Conduct includes basic information useful to POWs to help them survive honorably while resisting captors’ efforts to exploit them. Such survival and resistance requires knowledge, understanding, and a commitment to the articles. ARTICLE 1 “I am an American, fighting in the forces, which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.” ARTICLE 2 “I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.” ARTICLE 3 “If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.” ARTICLE 4 “If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action, which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.” ARTICLE 5 “When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.” ARTICLE 6 “I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.”

Chapter 4 – THE CODE OF CONDUCT

The Airman’s Creed is intended to remind all Airmen that we are not just a conglomeration of diverse specialties, skill sets, or jobs, but we are brothers and sisters in the Profession of Arms. It allows Airmen to think and act with one mind and with a commitment to fundamental warfighting beliefs. Airmen are warriors and are dedicated to flying, fighting, and winning. 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.

THE AIRMAN’S CREED

“They knew not the day or hour nor the manner of their passing when far from home they were called to join that great band of heroic Airmen that went before.” Inscription on the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C.