by Janie W. Santos
Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
12/8/2010 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman highlights how the Air Force core values should guide all Airmen in rising to meet challenges of today as Congress considers changes to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
"As military men and women, the American people count on us to adhere to the laws of the land, and we now stand ready and able to follow any decisions made," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy. "The success of implementing any changes in policy rests on the shoulders of our Air Force senior leaders, commanders and the NCO corps. We're confident that as professional Airmen, we will let our core values guide us in meeting challenges resulting from any changes."
Chief Roy also pointed out how integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do are anchors for Airmen to use.
"Any compromise diminishes the character of our service," Chief Roy said. "The Air Force core values are what we live by, and they will continue to guide our standards."
This viewpoint and other senior leader viewpoints can be found in the information section on AF.mil.
Comments
12/10/2010 11:26:57 AM ET Repealing DADT is not going to cause a draft. And a secession, seriously? I remember when word of the new PT rules started about 6 or 8 years ago and about 25 percent of my unit kept saying they were going to get out if they implemented it. Just like then the only people that are going to get out over this are those that were already planning it and some that are on the cusp. I'm sure many will try using it as an excuse when asked why they left but let's be serious you're saying that you're going to get out of the military because of DADT and start a career on the outside where it's actually illegal to discriminate over sexual orientation. That said I think SW put it best with his comment about how this affects integrity.
Sgt C, NE
12/10/2010 11:04:30 AM ET Billy - yes and yes. In fact, I would be more willing to fight and serve in an America that fights for the rights of homosexuals to get married and adopt children. I doubt that this will lead to secession of the union considering that phrase doesn't make sense and 67 percent of Americans support repealing DADT. Most of the younger generation, the military recruitment pool, finds homosexuality acceptable, so I don't see a need for a draft. The funny thing is I am considering not staying in after my current commitment because I find too many military members to be intolerant.
Analyst, Barksdale
12/9/2010 2:36:12 PM ET Here are some fine examples of exercising those core values. Cell phone and seat belt issue was targeted by IG during compliance inspections. Personnel DID NOT comply with traffic safety requirements. Personnel observed NOT wearing their seat belts. Personnel observed talking on cell phones WHILE operating a vehicle.
Arctic Warrior, CO
12/9/2010 2:34:38 PM ET The Don't Ask Don't Tell policy of our current leadership is a road to disaster. Ask your airmen how many are willing to take a bullet for homosexual sex. Are you willing to fight and serve in an America that fights for the rights of homosexuals to get married? Adoption rights for homosexuals? The current leadership is courting not only a humbling in war but possibly secession of the union. It will also lead to fewer recruits and a draft that will force men and women to fight for something they don't believe is right. I was considering reinlistment but will not due to the rhetoric of our current leadership and the pending policy.
Billy Gordon, Oklahoma
12/9/2010 1:44:11 PM ET Integrity is always going to be compromised when it comes to DADT. Keeping the policy will force members to stay in the closet, continuing to compromise their integrity. Repealing the policy will only shift the compromise from one demographic to another by forcing people to give up their life-long values and accept the change that's a compromise in integrity. Leaders need to decide which compromise they are willing to accept by analyzing which would have a greater impact on the force...tough decision to make. PS good comment on the PT test.
SW, OK
12/9/2010 1:42:55 PM ET The Air Force Personnel Center website has instructions on downloading and ordering the Little Brown Book. Sometimes information gets buried and is hard to find.
Donatelli, Charleston
12/9/2010 11:57:38 AM ET Unless of course it involves PT testing. Then we can't be trusted.
Travis Morrill, ROK
12/9/2010 7:51:42 AM ET If leadership is going to emphasize the Core Values, wouldn't it be in our best interest to make the little blue book available for order from E-pubs again? One of the most important documents the Air Force has is not only available electronic. All Airmen should have a Little Blue and Little Brown Book.
