Enlisted voices: the profession of arms Commentary by Tech. Sgt. Jason Morse 9th Communications Squadron 10/12/2010 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- The profession of arms has a public service orientation, a distinct culture, and a history, science and knowledge base. Each of these can be interpreted to mean one thing to an Airman: duty. As technology advances, our forces shrink, and our destructive capabilities become more mechanized, where does that leave the average Airman's mindset? Are we still professionals with technology at our fingertips? What have you seen on Twitter and Facebook about your Airmen? By volunteering to serve in the Air Force, each Airman has answered a higher calling. Take out your ID card and tell the person next to you what it means. Then ask that person to do the same. What does it mean to you? What do you think it means to the next person? Security might come to mind as you realize you have to have it to gain access to your base or the computer network. Fitness could come to mind if your picture is a little larger than you want it to be. But does anyone ever think about membership in the profession of arms? What comes to mind with the idea of membership? Some may think about benefits such as special savings or special offers as are often the ones associated with consumer club memberships. Some might feel comfort knowing that they are a part of a group that has a special status. Others may feel pride because of some special meaning or message associated with the membership. For Airmen, membership is all of the above and more. Since all Airmen are members of a proud profession, how do we show it? We wear the uniform correctly with pride. We follow customs and courtesies with integrity. We speak courteously to our leaders, peers, and subordinates. But do we ever stray from these behaviors? Since my arrival at Beale Air Force Base in August, I have witnessed many professional infractions in all ranks, including myself. I've identified Airmen sitting on desks or leaning on walls. I have heard foul language. I've seen people speeding both on and off base. I've realized that it is quite easy to notice unprofessional behaviors, but not as easy to know what to do with them. The immediate situations we find ourselves in are not always the best time to make corrections. For example, what do you do if you see someone driving in an unsafe manner? Call 911? What do you do if you see an Airman with hands in pockets? Surely it's not difficult to mention it to the Airman. If we do not identify less than professional behavior, we often let it go as a minor infraction that was probably not intentional or such a big deal, after all. Maintaining balance between strict adherences to standards and maintaining individuality within a profession may be difficult for many Airmen. What causes an imbalance? Professional behavior, just like all behaviors, is a learning process. We learn professional behaviors in basic training and professional military education. We continue to learn from our leaders, peers, and even subordinates every day on the job. The only way we can provide balanced, professional behavior for ourselves and our Airmen is to lead by example. You can lead by example at any rank by being in compliance with standards and courteously letting other Airmen know when they aren't in compliance. You don't have to remember everything you learned in school or memorize every Air Force instruction, although knowing this information will help you take initiative. The next time you see an Airman with a string on his or her stripe, tell that person about it. When you see an Airman with an inappropriate message on his or her website, take action in correcting it. If you notice someone speeding on base, report it to the law enforcement desk. If an Airman has his or her hands in pockets, politely tell that individual to pull them out. We are held to a higher standard and expected to be professionals on and off duty. We may not be conducting our missions on a battlefield, but in an office. As an Airman is poised in a trench somewhere, our supporting Airmen are poised in the office to enable each mission. They share a sense of duty to the mission and must demonstrate professional behavior to complete each mission. Be professional, and your Airmen will be professional. We have answered our nation's call.