Character, citizenship help make good Airmen

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Erica M. Hammond
  • 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Many Airmen ask, "How do you become a chief?" But I would rather they ask, "How do I become the best Airman I can possibly be?"

Our Air Force provides many roads to a successful career, but the foundation of any role or responsibility we will ever hold builds upon our character.  

Character is defined as those traits that form an individual's nature. Good character qualities include traits like trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. I remember when I was in elementary school I received a citizenship award. I really didn't understand why it was a big deal nor the full meaning of "citizenship," but now I know good citizenship helps form good character.

Good citizenship in school meant you were respectful and a great helper to your fellow classmates and teacher.  Our Air Force, like those great school teachers, recognizes the importance of good character and citizenship.  Our concept of being a great "Wingman" is built on the shoulders of Airmen with great character and citizenship.  Additionally, if you've read or heard any great wingman stories, the character of the Airman rings through it.

So one's character will define how they respond in any given situation.  Therefore, our Air Force is looking to promote Airmen who have developed traits of respect, trustworthiness, caring and helping attitudes toward their fellow Airmen. 

How to get there?  Outside of what one learned from mom and dad, find and mimic those great acts of kindness, compassion, respect and helping behaviors.  I, personally, get my direction from my faith in God, reading great leadership books and taking notice of great Airmen of any rank who display awesome character and citizenship.

For example, when stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, my group chief's emails ended with, "Always do the right thing."  Though his various emails were about day to day operations, I saw and read that short phrase daily.  It stuck with me and added to building trustworthiness in my decision making. 

So, as a leader, I am constantly trying to be better and do better.  In the medical world, we are obsessed with continuous quality improvement. This principle says no process or service is perfect and one must continually strive to eliminate errors from the system to get closer and closer to perfection. I see my character traits in this fashion. I'm not perfect and I must work at it every day to identify and rid myself of bad traits in order to be the best Airman I can possibly be. 
Great leaders of any rank know the value of good character and citizenship and practice it daily.  Their reputation is built upon it. Abraham Lincoln said it this way, "Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree." 

In the end, ask yourself, "Am I worthy of the citizenship award? Am I a good Airman?"  No matter your answer, apply continuous quality improvement to your character and decide today is a great day to be a good Airman.