Airmen demonstrate Service before Self Published Nov. 2, 2006 By Col. Steve Arquiette 60th Air Mobility Wing commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- As we continue our reflection on the three core values that bolster our Air Force heritage and culture, our second core value Service before Self is truly important. Service Before Self means many different things to each of us as Airmen. To 26-year-old Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, it meant giving the last full measure of devotion to duty, all the way until warmth of this life left his body. Jason was an Air Force para-rescueman, a PJ, assigned with the US Army Special Operations unit. He was killed during the Battle of Roberts Ridge in Afghanistan in March 2002 and was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross. Jason, while engaging the enemy, repeatedly ran to the aid and treated ten wounded soldiers. He put his concern for others ahead of his own and ultimately gave his life after being hit from direct enemy fire. He died there on Roberts Ridge. In the letter that he wrote to his wife weeks earlier, as if anticipating his fate he said, "I would die a happy man doing the job that I love." Serving in the Air Force is not "just a job," and as evidenced by Senior Airman Cunningham's last written words to his wife, it's a noble calling that requires the utmost in dedication. As we raised our right hands and stated the oath, we swore that we take our military obligation "freely without any mental reservation". Putting the needs of others ahead of our own, just as Jason did, is the basis of Service before Self. While many of the sacrifices we make daily do not have life-threatening consequences, they're difficult. It is never easy to leave your spouse and children at home as you deploy for months at a time or have to cancel weekend plans when something comes up forcing you to come to work during a time you are supposed to be off. Sometimes it's difficult to support a fellow Airman or co-worker in their time of need, but we do it because that's who we are. Service before Self is the basis of our Wingman Program ... always taking care of each other. Wednesday the wing will conduct our annual Wingman Day. We will focus on topics to take care of each other such as, preventing suicide, promoting safety, preventing alcohol misuse and prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence just to name a few. Sometimes taking care of others makes us uncomfortable; often these aspects of life are very personal and sensitive. Regardless, being there for others may save the career or life of a fellow Airman. Many of our Airmen have already mastered Service Before Self and the Wingman concept. We have Airmen who volunteer their weekends to ensure others' safety. Every weekend, several Airmen volunteer for Airmen Against Drunk Driving, and are ready to help their fellow Airman get a safe ride home. Some of these volunteers have driven as far as San Francisco or Sacramento to pick up Airmen who are too drunk to drive. In the last year, AADD volunteers have made more than 150 saves. Service Before Self applies to many aspects of our duties in the Air Force. We often risk our own lives during deployments and we endure separation from our families to ensure this Nation's protection. Our families and co-workers also play a large role in Service Before Self, so please be sure to thank them for their many contributions. Take a moment and reflect on those who have gone before us, and like Jason, gave their last full measure of devotion to duty in the service to our country. A grateful nation truly appreciates everything our Airmen and families do every day ... we're in a very noble business. BE PROUD! BE SAFE!