Family, core values act as moral compass for Airmen Published April 4, 2007 By Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Walsh 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, GERMANY -- Reflecting on the recent rash of alcohol-related incidents, I wondered what, if anything more, can be done? As people, there's a common bond we all share ... we are either a son or daughter and each of us is also a part of an even bigger family, we are Airmen in the U.S. Air Force. As sons and daughters, we seek help from our parents. As Airmen, we seek help from our mentors. They're our sounding boards for advice and the people we most want to build a long, lasting relationship with; one based on mutual trust and respect. They have life experience points -- both "learned" and "earned" and we want them. You want to live long, be a future leader and have a fruitful career. Moral compass Being a son or daughter comes with great individual responsibility. Your family proudly gave you your last name, untarnished at birth and you're charged with maintaining the heritage and integrity that came along with it. Even more important is your responsibility to pass it on to your children as untarnished as it was given to you. From this point forward the first stop for your alcohol related incident sounding board test should always be your family's name. Ask yourself this, "Would they be proud to see you in handcuffs, reeling from a drunken stupor in your home after an altercation with your spouse?" They sent you out the door into life and asked you to make them proud. Did you? Are you every day and on every decision? Your family's name is forever linked to your actions, even the bad ones. The road traveled to build up the trust lost from an ARI is a long and cold one, even for the stoutest of heart. Loyalty to your family should never be forgotten. It should be used constantly as your moral compass. If you wouldn't do something at home, then it's time to build your integrity and not do it in your new home, whether it's a dorm, house or tent. Loyalty has no borders, and there is no room for the "Vegas tourist" mentality in the Air Force. Respect your family's name; it has come at the expense of many sacrifices -- both in peacetime and war. Mentorship The role of an Airman in today's Air Force is challenging and it also comes at a price preserving the name of our country. When you first joined the Air Force, you had a clean slate. Is it still that way? From this day forward your second stop for your sounding board is your new family's name, the Air Force. Ask yourself this, "Are those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while wearing the same uniform you see in the mirror going to be proud of what you're doing?" or "Is my signature block a seal of excellence that is beyond reproach?" To help answer these questions your first stop is someone who can be trusted, a mentor. Mentorship at its most basic form is nothing more than an experienced guide assigned to teach you the skills necessary to ensure the lifeblood of the Air Force remains strong. You do this by building a strong personal relationship utilizing effective communication, shared mission tasks and active participation in professional organizations. We use them as our sounding boards to ensure the preservation of the Air Force name remains intact throughout the process, ultimately, in hopes that some day you, too, will pass on the lessons you've learned and the loyalty gained to our future Air Force leaders. The Air Force is synonymous with excellence and selfless service. Life experiences Have you ever wondered why we get a pay raise for longevity? The answer is you've gained invaluable life experience point that enhance the mission. Life experience points are everywhere in life, the proverbial "needle in the haystack" though is whether you "learn 'em or earn 'em." Unfortunately those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law always try to "earn 'em" then "learn 'em" thus resulting in misfortune, pain and loss of trust. "Learned" life experiences are the most difficult to gain as they come from watching the mistakes of others and listening to the advice of parents. Then the person simply chooses a path to follow by trusting the advice given. "Earned" life experiences; however, are gained by not trusting the advice once given or behavior seen and trying it for yourself. The problem is we're trying to earn it in situations that have killed people, ended careers and destroyed families. That's why it's critical to "learn" these lessons and not "earn" them as some ridiculous badge of courage because the life lost may be yours, the career ended may be your best friend's and the family destroyed will always be our Air Force. You've got the two cornerstones that will always be used as your personal sounding boards from this day forward. The first is respecting your family's heritage and the second is being loyal to our country's lineage. Check out the nametag on your uniform. It proudly displays your family's heritage, your last name. Now check out the nametag on the other side with your new family's name; the U.S. Air Force and the core values that are synonymous with its Airmen. Ever wonder why they are at equal points on your uniform? They are both truly equal in importance and being a son or daughter and an Airman is our common bond forever.