Air Force Core Values and Air Force Culture

[SlightlyCatholic]

I found a very interesting paper online. It has to do with the discrepancy between the Air Force Core Values and what actually happens in the Air Force. It's written by a Major at the Air and Staff Command College in April of last year. The link is here and should appear as a PDF document:

https://www.afresearch.org/skins/rims/q_mod_be0e99f3-fc56-4ccb-8dfe-670c0822a153/q_act_downloadpaper/q_obj_6a4ac409-3835-4129-b588-a99612a50e86/display.aspx?rs=enginespage

I'm hoping that those who are interested could read the paper (it's not THAT long) and then provide some feedback regarding the actual effect Core Values have on respective services and how much these Core Values positively affect behavior from the General Officers to the lowest level of enlisted personnel. Please enjoy.

[wukong]

Very interesting read.

The Air Force resolves this argument by defining duty as the requirement to “follow rules unless there is a clear operational or legal reason to refuse or deviate.”

This is somewhat of my own philosophy. Everyone in their career will find a place where rules will lead to problems. It is good that we challenge people to think then react. Command should always consider the act in relationship to the dilemma.

Another institutional force working to challenge ethical behavior is excessive concern for image.31 This can be related to the “loyalty syndrome” in that Airmen may value the image of the organization (flight, squadron, or wing) over integrity. The difference is the focus is on the outcome instead of the action. It can create an attitude of “looking good rather than being good.”

Gen Lavalle was sent to SEA with the instructions to get the job done, do what ever ever was necessary. Maxwell Taylor the (CINC?/Ambassador??) had the same philosophy. Johnson, Nixon, Kissinger, and amoral McNamara ruined the US military.