CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
When was the last time you saw someone quickly duck in the building to avoid paying the proper respect to our flag during retreat? How many times have you heard a junior-ranking Airman call someone senior ranking by their first name? Did you look the other way, or did you seize the opportunity to correct the infraction and be a mentor?
We've all been involved in similar situations throughout our careers and may even have been the guilty party. Regardless of your experience, in today's rapidly changing Air Force, we cannot afford to allow these simple but vital infractions to pass us by.
Lately I've witnessed a lot of this behavior, and the trend erodes the very foundation of who we are as a force. It undermines the customs and courtesies taught to us in basic military training and creates a new and undisciplined culture throughout our force that can be extremely difficult to change. The solution to this problem requires a culture change, and all Airmen should take a good look at themselves and their commitment to our core values, starting with a little refresher on exactly what our customs and courtesies are and why they are important.
Our customs and courtesies define who we are -- Airmen in the United States Air Force! They provide us with guidance on what we should or shouldn't do in certain situations. They are acts of respect and courtesy when dealing with other people and have evolved as a result of the need for order, as well as the mutual respect and sense of fraternity that exists among military members. Customs and courtesies go beyond basic politeness and play an extremely important role in building morale, esprit de corps, discipline and mission effectiveness. They ensure proper respect for the chain of command and build the foundation for self-discipline. Our core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do are tied directly to our customs and courtesies. For this reason, it is vital for each one of us to evaluate our level of commitment to them.
What does it say to a new Airmen when they see an NCO or officer violating customs and courtesies? It tells Airmen it's acceptable to do the same. What does it say when we turn our heads to these violations? It merely reinforces the act as normal and acceptable behavior. Air Force Instruction 36-2618 states that all NCOs will "Be alert to personnel who violate Air Force standards and immediately correct them." How can we as leaders expect our Airmen to live by the core values when we ourselves aren't doing the same? If we are turning our heads and looking the other way, we are just as guilty as the individual committing the act.
We all know what customs and courtesies are and why they are important. They are not something we abide by only when someone is around or when we think someone is watching. They should be a part of our everyday lives. They show pride in who we are and what we do. When we live by our core values and practice our customs and courtesies, that pride is plainly visible for all to see.
Take pride in who you are -- an Airman in the United States Air Force!