Air Force changing, values stay strong

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The world and our Air Force are obviously changing at a rapid rate. However, there are also things that haven't changed...our core values! But what do our core values mean to you? Are they words you live by? Are they artificial words you use to spice up a performance report? Or maybe they are just metaphorical words we hear recited in speeches? I'm confident that for most of us, they are words we live by. They are values that form the core of our Air Force. 

Therefore, it's imperative our core values be more than just words we hang on a wall or phrases we use in conversations to make us appear trustworthy. Those three pillars, Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do, must guide our every step. In fact, they must be that inner voice we call a conscious...a voice that only we can hear. 

When we join the Air Force, we become part of a unique culture, the foundation of which again is our core values. We accomplish our mission as a dedicated team of Airmen committed to our core values and each other. One of the basic leadership principles of any successful organization is the investment of time and energy in developing a culture to properly prepare successive generations. This culture and these core values compel Airmen to take care of Airmen and always do what's right. 

In retrospect, we've all looked back on a poor decisions, mistakes or situations we wish we could do over or handle differently. 

Here's what I mean: This past weekend I bumped into an individual during the sidewalk sale at the Base Exchange. We cordially greeted one another amidst the chaos. Suddenly it dawned on me that unlike hundreds of others in attendance he did not have a shopping cart overflowing with stuff. Where's your shopping cart I asked? He smiled and replied, "don't have one, I beat the crowd and arrived early...all done. I'm here because I owe the Base Exchange money. They sold me a T.V. and under charged me. When I got home I realize they made a mistake so I came back to pay the difference. I responded by saying, "that was very admirable of you." He smiled as he turned to walk away, and then said, "Well it was the right thing to do." 

What would you have done? Would you have kept the money because no one knew you were undercharged? Or would that inner voice prevail? These are questions only you can answer. But, if you have to think twice about your decision...well, let's just say; this culture of doing what's right, placing others before yourself, and giving 110 percent may not be appropriate for you. I truly believe that our commitment to these core values means that they are more than just words posted on a wall or words we recite by memory. They help us with our toughest decisions and guide us as Airmen. 

Remember, only you can convey the true essence of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.