CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Everyone should be familiar with the phrase "Back to Basics," as a way to describe the Air Force's approach to accomplishing our mission and additionally, how we should conduct all of our activities as Airmen.
Back to basics means following technical orders, checklists, instructions and applicable guidance all of the time, every time. It means always following the proper safety guidelines and mitigating risk to the greatest extent possible. Most importantly, we have to do these things even when no one is looking. We must have the integrity to do the right thing even when we could possibly get away with taking shortcuts or bending the rules.
We must also remember our instructions still govern our actions even when we're off duty. For example, we must follow all motorcycle safety guidelines and ride within our limits. We must also conduct ourselves as representatives of the Air Force when we're having fun downtown. There's nothing more back to basic than embracing our roles as leaders, and as leaders, we must make sure those around us are aware of and follow the rules, both on- and off-duty. Yes, we could take shortcuts, bend the rules, and hope no one sees us, but doing so brings our integrity into question and can put us in situations that probably won't have a happy ending.
Here are a few examples of back to basic areas we need to improve upon: saluting staff cars, calling the room to attention when an officer enters, standing when addressing a senior member, not wearing earrings on base if you're a male Airman, not talking on cell phones while driving and not forgetting our customs and courtesies. These areas may seem minor, but to paraphrase Col. Don Shaffer, the 437th Airlift Wing vice commander, if we can't be trusted to follow these rules, what other rules are we willing to break?
It's easy to find positive examples of Airmen who epitomize what back to basics is all about. It's the Airman who goes out of her way to pick up a piece of trash. It's the Airman who volunteers to be the designated driver so his friends can have fun. One of the best examples is our Rodeo team, a group of Airmen who will compete and be judged on their skills and thoroughness at following a comprehensive set of rules governing the way we conduct air mobility operations. Combining a concerted effort to hone their skills, hard work, pride and dedication, they have bettered themselves and will represent Team Charleston extremely well.
With the permanent change of station season in full swing, you'll notice many new members joining Team Charleston during the summer months, including several new commanders. Help them understand the Charleston way of doing things is based upon adherence to the rules and making improvements when we can. It's about taking care of our fellow Airmen and their families, and keeping safety in the forefront of what we do. As leaders, it's about doing our best all of the time and maintaining our integrity, even when no one is watching. It means we must embrace the back to basics approach as our leaders have asked us to do.