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News > Commentary - AFMC Commander's Log -- Avatar Professionalism |
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AFMC Commander's Log -- Avatar Professionalism
Posted 2/8/2012 Updated 2/8/2012
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Commentary by Gen. Donald Hoffman
Commander, Air Force Materiel Command
2/8/2012 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- AFMC Professionals, I use this term with deliberate significance. Whether
you are an officer, enlisted or civilian, we have an oath that defines our
purpose as a member of the Air Force. The duties you swore to perform had
an implied element of professionalism. Our business can involve the lethal
application of force and that requires the ultimate in professionalism, not
only for those that aim and fire, but for all of us who train, equip and
otherwise enable the shooters.
Professionalism is not something you simply put on and off, like a suit of
clothes, when you go to work.it has to be part of your entire psyche. Your
life must embody professionalism at work, either in garrison or deployed, at
home, and in whatever virtual world you participate in to include emails,
texting, blogs, tweets, photos and social media.
Unfortunately, within this command, I have had to address several cases
where behavior in websites, emails, social media, etc., has shown a lack of
professionalism. Across the Air Force and Department of Defense, there are
other similar examples. You need to be professional in all communications
and engagements, whether you attach your name and rank or not. In any
domain, we must not become unduly familiar or neglect the appropriate
superior/subordinate boundaries and courtesies. Remember, we are
representatives of the Air Force whether we are at work or not. The 2009
Academy Award-winning movie Avatar was on TV recently and I watched it
again. Just as the main character played by Sam Worthington struggled with
moral decisions in real life, he faced similar decisions in his Avatar role.
He did not change his moral compass as he transitioned between domains and
we should not either.
Our behavior both on and off duty, and in all real or virtual environments,
needs to meet the standard of our fellow Air Force members. The mark of any
true profession is that standards exist and membership enforces those
standards. America's citizens expect this of those who defend the nation.
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