437th Force Support Squadron acting first sergeant –
Have you ever forgotten your hat in the car or at home only to realize it as you made the incredibly long trek from the fitness center door to your car? Did you jog or walk quickly knowing you were out of uniform? Or did you saunter along, thinking "so what, I forgot my hat - big deal." Is it a big deal?
Maybe you were the person who saw the "mad dash" across the parking lot? Were you thinking, "Should I say something or just ignore it?" Odds are, you don't really have to tell them they forgot their hat ... it's probably safe to say they know.
But are you checking the guy with the 5 o'clock shadow to see if he actually has a shaving waiver, or the female wearing the black hair band in her brown hair? Are you correcting the tough stuff: coming to work late, underage drinking, not following the technical order, or making inappropriate comments or jokes in the work center? If not, why not? Don't know the standard? Don't have time? Don't like confrontation? Don't care?
Now for the really tough question: which is worse? Making the infraction or not correcting it? This represents two sides of a coin. The key to remembering which is worse represents the same coin, maintaining standards. By the Air Force Instructions, we are charged, regardless of rank, with upholding and maintaining standards. We are also charged with correcting infractions.
Let me share a scenario: A young Airman steps into the shoppette to pick up something quick to drink. So? What's the problem? The problem is the Airman goes into the shoppette without a hat or Airman battle uniform blouse, clearly out of uniform. As the story unfolds, someone from two registers over publically calls the Airman out in front of everyone ... this someone happens to be an off-duty NCO. In this manner, the NCO is positive the Airman won't soon forget how to properly wear the uniform ... or will he? As the Airman walks out, it is very likely the applicable lesson on proper wear of the uniform may be overshadowed by the public humiliation inflicted by the NCO who yelled at him in the shoppette.
As a prior professional military education instructor, I spent three years talking to NCOs about why and how to correct infractions. I heard every excuse there is about why they didn't correct infractions, and why they didn't feel it necessary to correct infractions in a successful manner. Successful means not just an immediate change in behavior but a long-term change in behavior and attitude. This takes both sides of the coin to provide value. What do I mean by this?
Take correction gracefully - don't be belligerent or unprofessional; be proud of the fact fellow Airmen, serving with you, are fulfilling their responsibilities by maintaining Air Force standards. There wouldn't be a need for correction if there wasn't an infraction.
Give correction professionally - remember we are looking for the change in behavior and attitude; it's true fear and tact can have the same immediate change in behavior; but which method reflects best on your skills?
Ultimately, it doesn't matter which side of the coin you land on ... it is simply about maintaining standards. Follow and maintain standards to begin with, or fulfill your requirements as an Airman in the U.S. Air Force by correcting infractions of the standards.
Both sides are equally important and critical to the overall success of the Air Force mission. So toss the coin, it should still land standard side up.