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Core values are foundation for success

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Arthur Watson
  • 6th Airlift Squadron
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  In this day and time, when doing more with less is quickly becoming the norm rather than the exception, it is our challenge as Airmen in the world's greatest military service to ensure we pay strict attention to our mission. 

As you are aware, the mission of the Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests -- to fly and fight in Air, Space and Cyberspace. That mission is our foremost guide to executing the objectives. From the dining facility to the flight line, every function is vital to the Air Force's overall vision. 

As Airmen, we must be prepared to handle the ever increasing challenges of our chosen profession. One system that aids us in preparation for our mission is the Air Force core values. Knowing and understanding these principles will not only strengthen your character, it will enhance your career as well. Core values make the Air Force what it is today, the best of the best. Without these values, no mission would be successful. 

Whether enlisted, officer, civilian, active, reserve or retired; the core values exist for every member of the United States Air Force. Although these principles are minimum standards, they serve as a reminder of the effort it takes to accomplish the mission. The core values inspire us to do our very best at all times under the most grueling circumstances, even up to paying the ultimate and supreme sacrifice. Quite simply, the Core values are the bond that guides our day-to-day operations. 

Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do -- these are the Air Force Core Values. It's not only our job to know and follow them, but we must also live by them and encourage our peers to do the same. 

Integrity First is a character trait which demonstrates your willingness to do what's right -- even when no one is looking. The foundation of our core values starts with integrity. It's our "moral compass" that teaches us not only to be honest with others, but also to ourselves. Some of the moral aspects of integrity include courage, honesty, responsibility and accountability. Airmen possessing these tools will always do what's right, regardless of the circumstances. The most important persuasion tool you have in your arsenal is integrity. Without it, not only do you lose credibility, but the entire mission suffers. 

Aviation pioneer and General of the Air Force Henry "Hap" Arnold described the importance of integrity best in a letter to Lt. Col. LeRoy Stefen dated Nov. 5, 1946. Responding to Stefen's request for career advice, Arnold wrote, "Personal integrity also means moral integrity. Regardless of what appears to be some superficial ideas of present-day conduct, fundamentally, today as always, the man who is genuinely respected is the man who keeps his moral integrity sound and is trustworthy in every respect." 

Integrity is the foundation of leadership. How solid is your foundation?
Service before self helps us realize the significance of professional duties with respect to personal desires. Professional duty should be highly regarded. As today's leaders and leaders of tomorrow, Service Before Self requires us to place the needs of our troops ahead of our own. If we are unwilling to sacrifice personal goals for the good of the Air Force, it's hard to convince others to do the same. 

Service before self is a 24-hour-a-day commitment and there is no room for personal agendas that will endanger our professional goals. We may not always agree with the orders we are given, but we must remain focused on the mission and set our personal views aside. This means that as we continue to fight the war on terrorism, going above and beyond the call of duty is not the exception -- it's the rule. Service before self is not a mere motto to be taken lightly in the military profession it is a functional imperative. 

Excellence in all we do brings the core values into sharp focus. It aids us to propel forward and accomplish every objective. It catapults us past the standard, aiming for heights unknown, continually exceeding the standard. Each Airman should develop a sustained passion for continuous improvement. If your response to why your unit handles a particular issue is "We've always done it that way," then you have come far short of reaching this guideline. 

We have all been entrusted by our fellow citizens with the security of our nation. This makes excellence in all we do paramount to the accomplishment of any missions assigned to us. Take pride in what you do every day, and never settle for anything less than your best. If we didn't strive for excellence, everything would end up unfinished. Excellence takes determination, teamwork and a whole lot of sacrifice. 

Instead of remembering the core values as three simple phrases, you should incorporate them into your everyday life as well as your military career. 

This year is another challenging year for each one of us. Upcoming deployments, the ORI and various other exercises will continue to test the strength of our core values. With all the great personnel at McGuire AFB, there is no doubt we will meet and exceed any and all expectations given. Our core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do not only set the standard for the way we do business here in the 305th Air Mobility Wing, but how we should conduct ourselves in the Air Force way of life. Practice them every day and never expect anything less from those who serve with us. The core values are our way of life! Continue to fly, fight and win!