Service: Upholding commitment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Editor's note: This is the second of a three-part series on the Air Force core values.

Service has long been associated with military life, and those who wear military uniforms are called "service members" - for good reason.

New Airmen are introduced to the core values at Basic Military Training, and Airmen embarking on a new military career are taught the meaning of the second core value.

"Service before self means that I'm giving 100 percent at my job every day and making sure my duties come before my personal issues," said Airman 1st Class Jesse Manley, 2nd Comptroller Squadron accounting technician. "You have to make sure every decision you make isn't just for your own personal benefit. You need to consider your fellow Airmen."

As Airmen progress in their military career, the second core value maintains its importance as the Air Force looks at more than time-in-service and job skill levels for awards and promotions.

"Being in the military is about the whole-person concept," said Senior Airman Lindsay Malmberg, 2nd CPTS budget analyst and accounting technician. "It's about having a positive attitude and being the best you can be because we're all working together to get the mission done. If the Air Force didn't recognize the importance of service before self, there would be a cultural breakdown in the military."

Furthermore, Airmen are encouraged to look out for each other.

"If service before self isn't demonstrated, the mission would be hindered because nobody would put the mission first," said Airman 1st Class Edwin Cruz, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, commander support staff. "People could get into trouble because they're only thinking about themselves."

If Airmen are to place military service before personal desires, they are expected to uphold certain principles. These principles include, but are not limited to following rules, respecting others, discipline and self-control.

Rules are established in the many Air Force Instructions that provide a behavioral foundation for Airmen's service, but rules are also necessary for unit cohesion.

"Rules are important because if we didn't have rules, everyone would do whatever they wanted, and that can lead to total chaos," said Master Sgt. Mac Ruth, 2nd Comptroller Squadron first sergeant. "If Airmen didn't follow the rules, the unit could get out of control, and there's no guarantee the mission would be completed."

By showing respect for rank, the Air Force and each other, Airmen also maintain a professional image by exhibiting discipline and self-control over their actions.

"We're expected to be professionals because we're in the military," Ruth said. "Discipline is the way of adhering to rules or being respectful, courteous and mindful of what you're doing and not losing sight of who you're talking to. Part of it is maintaining your military bearing. Self-control is a part of maintaining military bearing."

By placing service before self, Airmen will ensure the mission is accomplished, anytime, anywhere.