CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
We are living in a society where it is easy to blame someone else for everything that happens to us, especially the bad. In an effort to adjust to the high operations tempo and constant demands of today's Air Force, I believe we have lost the essence of personal accountability.
It is difficult for me to understand why Airmen are still having problems with alcohol-related incidents and drug use when it has been emphasized there is a zero-tolerance policy. Education is stressed frequently through the "0-0-1-3," "Don't Drink and Drive" and "Just Say No" campaigns.
Marketing of the zero-tolerance policy and these campaigns happens at every given opportunity such as at commander's calls, on flyers plastered around the base and trinkets issued to Airmen at several different venues. We even have programs like Airmen Against Drunk Driving, but we continually see the reports of members driving under the influence.
So why do we still have Airmen who choose to drink and drive and do drugs despite a culture that preaches these activities are not compatible with being an Airman in the Air Force?
When does the individual become responsible for those choices and we hold him or her accountable?
We live in a society where individuals deserve and sometimes demand to be recognized for doing the things they accomplish, but refuse to accept accountability for the bad choices or mistakes they make.
It is so much easier for individuals to create an excuse or blame someone else for their mistakes rather than take personal responsibility. It takes a greater person to accept responsibility for his or her actions and be able to sincerely say it was "my fault" or "my bad" and move on and learn from the mistake.
As leaders, we must not become complacent in demanding more of our Airmen or more of ourselves. Do not be afraid to correct individuals who are not meeting standards just to avoid conflict; embrace it head-on. In doing so, you continue to ensure the strength of our standards and mold the future of our Air Force.
As leaders, how can we expect an individual to be responsible when we are failing to hold him or her accountable?
As we continue to be stretched in every direction, it is our personal responsibility to maintain our high level of success in the Air Force. Our ability to be held accountable for our actions is the core of our being as Airmen. We cannot continue to spend our time and resources on individuals who continually make bad choices and engage in activities not compatible with the Air Force.
Airmen want and deserve to be held accountable for their choices. As leaders, we should give them exactly what they expect of us: to hold them accountable for their actions.