Change is the only dependable constant in life Published April 8, 2016 By Chief Master Sgt. Jason Morehouse 60th Maintenance Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- How many times have you heard the statement "the Air Force isn't what it used to be" or "this isn't the Air Force I joined?" Stop, take a step back for a minute and look around. What has changed? What is different? How did the Air Force get to where it is today? I ask that as you read on, you reflect and identify things that have changed. We live in a virtual world filled with new technology, social media and news outlets at our fingertips. We have virtual Commander's Calls and Twitter town hall meetings. We have even gone as far as virtual mentoring. What is virtual mentoring? These are just a few changes that have come about due to advances in technology and the ever-changing world we live in. What other things have changed? You won't have to look hard to find the uniform you wear today doesn't look like the old one. Your retirement plan may or may not change. Some of you may have a different AFSC then when you first joined. Our enlisted evaluations and promotion processes have changed. You may also be familiar with the changes to enlisted professional military education, distance learning, vectoring and deliberate development through developmental special duties. Our budget and manning levels remain in a constant state of change. Is change the only constant? Have we have all become products of our environment? One might say that change is coming or, if you don't like it, just wait and it will eventually change. One might say, society has changed, therefore the Air Force has changed. One might also say that the Airmen of today have changed from the Airmen of yesterday. Airmen at basic training receive the same fundamental foundation, a foundation that has not changed. Our Airmen learn military bearing, good order and discipline. They meticulously fold their shirts and socks, learn to march and fall into formation using time, interval, and distance. On graduation day, our Airmen form up on the Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, parade grounds as you and I once did. They execute eyes right, their heads held high with pride and dignity as they march past family and friends. The Air Force Core Values of "Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in All We Do," have not changed. The Code of Conduct and our Oath of Enlistment, most certainly have not changed. The world around us will continue to evolve, our success is measured by being flexible and adapting to this new world. When you start to think that change is the only constant, "the Air Force isn't what it used to be" or "this isn't the Air Force I joined," think about our basic fundamental foundation, the core values and the things that will not change. The core Air Force mission has not changed. We were, we are and we will always be the world's most powerful Air Force.