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This is your fathers Air Force

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Bob Bove
  • 305th Maintenance Group
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Back in 1983, when I entered the Air Force, a crusty old staff sergeant said to me, "Airman, this isn't your father's Air Force." I smiled and said, well, yes it is -- my dad's a master sergeant in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. 

Today, when I hear that I smile and say, well, yes it is your father's Air Force considering my son is a staff sergeant in today's Air Force. My point is, the more things change, the more things stay the same. What? How can that be? Well, basic compliance never changes. When you allow yourself to accept a lower standard, you have just created a new standard. 

Unit Compliance Inspections and Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Program Inspections are all intended to check our level of basic compliance just as they did back when I was a member of the Strategic Air Command. As you travel down the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century-road, don't forget that basic compliance is a must. Too often, our good intentions fail to take into account that basic compliance never changes. Also, don't forget if you're changing basic compliance during your AFSO21 event, wait for the approved official change to come out before you proceed. 

Take a look at what else is out there, example AFI-2903 ... AFR 35-10 to an old guy, like me. You can change the name, but it's still all about basic compliance. Take a look at AFI-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure. Can you believe that this was once an Air Force manual back in the day that somebody in their infinite wisdom decided that we as an enlisted force did not need? You can not put a price on basic compliance. 

My world is aircraft maintenance. My life is committed to safety and technical data usage. I've been fortunate to be a part of some of the best aircraft maintenance organizations ever assembled, winning the 2003 Air Force Daedalian Award and the 2004 Secretary of Defense Maintenance award for best aircraft maintenance. All of these would have not been possible without a commitment to basic compliance by the groups' leadership working hand-in-hand with the groups' Airmen, coupled with maintenance discipline. 

I've also been around some major aircraft incidents where basic compliance failed, one where the pilot made it back and one where the pilot lost his life. There is no more of a sick feeling than looking out at a spot on the parking ramp knowing that your aircraft and your pilot are not coming back. Bottom line -- basic compliance can be a life or death proposition. We play the game to win. This is what sets us apart from other nations. 

Just recently returning from a desert deployment, I can tell you that without basic compliance the mission would not happen. From security forces to aerial porters, compliance is key to success. If you are not in compliance with your actions daily, you will bring your bad habits with you on your deployment. Your culture is vital. I've been accused of being a little old school, and I don't plan on changing any time soon. 

In my Air Force, I eat at the chow hall and not at the dining facility; I go to the gym, not the fitness center; Airmen live in the barracks, not the dorms; and, yes, Airmen even take out the trash. My culture was set in stone in the '80s as a member of Strategic Air Command when compliance was king. Basic compliance will never leave us. Get on board. When it comes to compliance, old school is a good thing.