JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
You all know Airmen must stay physically fit and meet the Air Force fitness standards; that noncommissioned officers must appropriately recognize and reward those individuals who clearly exceed established standards; that senior NCOs must exceed the standards and expectations levied upon their NCOs and Airmen and they must epitomize excellence, professionalism and competence, serving as a role model for NCOs and Airmen to emulate.
These are just some of the responsibilities spelled-out for enlisted members in Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, or as it is sometimes referred to as "The Little Brown Book." It doesn't say anywhere in there to execute these duties whenever we feel like it - it says that we must execute them. The instruction establishes mandatory responsibilities for enlisted members. Those responsibilities are backed up on page one of the instruction by six words: "Compliance with this publication is mandatory."
While short in length, only 23-pages, it's the most comprehensive tool used to define the structure of every enlisted member from airman basic to chief master sergeant. It not only lists the general responsibilities and defines our roles, but each chapter spells out the specific responsibilities for each rank. I don't believe it's a coincidence that The Enlisted Force Structure is short and small enough to fit in your pocket.
Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald Murray stated in a CMSAF Perspective that, "This is your blueprint for success in our great Air Force ... an Air Force revered around the world. Embrace your role and responsibility as an Airman - senior NCO, NCO or junior Airman, and we'll continue to be the outstanding enlisted force our nation values, our allies appreciate and our enemies fear."
The instruction also establishes enlisted leadership and development levels, specifies responsibilities of each enlisted rank within the structure, establishes official terms of address for Air Force enlisted personnel, describes special SNCO positions and standardizes duty titles. I implore each enlisted member to read "The Little Brown Book" and understand it.