Connect with core values to strive for excellence

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Toney
  • 60th Force Support Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As Airmen, we are part of the greatest air power in the greatest military in the world.

We didn't get to be the greatest by accident. The hard work and dedication it took to becoming the greatest air power started at the foundation.

In 1997, the Air Force published a set of core values for all Airmen to live by. In reality, these core values laid the foundation for the Air Force and they are enforced every day. The three core values of the Air Force are integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. They are the bedrock for success in every Air Force member.

Integrity acts as the substructure to our core values. The Air Force expects Airmen to do what's right, even when no one is paying attention. Integrity first challenges each of us to do the right thing at all times. Every member is held to the highest moral standards and integrity first sets the basic foundation so we don't discredit the Air Force or our country.

All military members are part of a unique profession founded on the premise of service before self. We are not engaged in just another job, but entrusted with the security of our nation, the protection of its citizens and the preservation of our way of life. In this capacity, we serve as guardians of our country's future. By its very nature, this responsibility requires us to place our professional duties over our personal desires. It is a sacrifice every Airman is expected to make.

Excellence in all we do is the last of our core values and probably, the most challenging because it does not stop with a singular achievement or when we leave work. It does not mean the Air Force expects perfection from each of us. It means we are expected to strive for excellence to ensure our Air Force remains the greatest air power in the world and that we represent the Air Force in a positive way. 

Two aspects of excellence are personal and professional excellence. Most of us try hard to juggle work, family, self-care and then some. We believe, to be our best self we should get the most out of life, being on the ball all the time. Living a life of excellence takes effort, yet is rewarding, motivating you to keep up the good work. It plays a significant role in achieving excellence in all we do. 

To achieve personal and professional excellence, begin by identifying your values. To make the right choices in life, you need to know what truly matters to you. Create a list of your values and observe how you and those you surround yourself with live according to those values.

Be a good wingman and listen carefully. Connect to your fellow Airmen by listening to their stories. We all have one. Hold your advice and similar experiences and go deeper in the experience they are telling you. This way you will learn more about them, about their needs and values.

Define your limiting beliefs. What holds you back? What makes you think that you can't accomplish your goals? Define it and then release it. There is nothing stopping you from whatever you want to be but you.

Show compassion. Stop judging others when they make mistakes or do something you do not agree with. Instead, try to put yourself in their shoes and think: "There I go, being rude, selfish, etc." By thinking this way, you'll understand how we all are similar, with flaws and bad moments that can be forgiven.

Forgive and forget past transgressions. Let go of grudges and negative feelings. Learn to forgive yourself, your loved ones and your fellow Airmen. 

Practice gratitude. Learn to be grateful for all positive experiences that come your way on a given day. Keep a list of things that you are grateful for every day. When dark days are upon you, be grateful for your health, for life or anything that giving you a spark. 

Face your demons. When you feel like the time is right, face whatever happened in your past which left a rotten place in your heart. Only then will the darker parts of yourself heal and you can move freely to your excellence.

Like most, I've failed to meet the mark of excellence from time to time. But each time I stood up, dusted myself off, owned it, learned from it and moved on. Retired General Colin Powell said, "If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude." 

In order to truly strive for excellence in all we do, we must lean on some of the qualities in our first two core values. Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do is not a catch phrase, it is who we are. 

Ask yourself if you gave the best of yourself today. If the answer is yes, explore what motivated you and how you felt. If the answer is no, don't beat yourself up, but reflect on what happened that took you out of your balance. Remember, we all have good days as well as bad days. How we handle them makes the difference. Strive for your excellence.