JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
We recently wrapped up an outstanding air show where we showcased some of the best the Air Force has to offer. The professionalism, along with the customs and courtesies displayed during the preparation and execution of hosting more than 80,000 visitors was phenomenal. With that said however, during my recent deployment and return to home station, I have unfortunately witnessed lapses in judgment relating to customer service, respect for others, and military standards.
The Air Force is a profession of arms whereby we serve our nation with honor and pride. In addition to serving our nation, we also serve each other throughout our daily operations. Whether you are a recipient or provider of customer service, respect and courtesy should be at the forefront of our minds. They should be prevalent throughout the exchange as indicated by the Air Force core value "Service before Self." Although we may be experiencing a bad day, the customer should be afforded a professional environment filled with common courtesy and first-rate service. We need to leave our customers with a lasting positive impression. After all, "Excellence in All We Do" embodies top-notch customer service in executing our core mission.
We are on duty 24 hours a day and usually travel to and from work in some type of uniform. We frequent local restaurants and businesses before, during and after work. The civilian populace around us sees our uniforms and easily identifies us as members of the military. They may not know us personally or to which military branch we belong, but we are identified as part of the military community. With this label comes a great deal of responsibility. Our interaction with the local community, whether pumping gas in uniform without our covers on, allowing our pants to sag, running red lights or weaving in and out of traffic with little concern for others, influences the public's view of our military community as a whole.
Not only are we serving in our nation's defense, we are creating perceptions and relationships with the people we interact with throughout the day and in our local communities. Our actions can have a positive or negative impact on future recruits and our eventual replacements. While stationed at the C-17 school house at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., our motto was, "We are training our replacements." I translate this to include our actions displayed throughout the local community. So, I ask each of you here on Joint Base Charleston to go by the "Golden Rule" of treating others how you would like to be treated. Remember, even though we displayed our best for one day during the air show, we should strive to be the best professional Airmen we can be every day.