None of us knew it then.
But what we all came to learn later
was that the way you live your life every day,
is the way you'll live your life that ONE day.
We were taught to live by a code.
Even before we took that oath, we got rules drilled into our heads
Do this, don't do that.
There weren't a lot of gray areas.
We were trusted with defending our country.
And that trust carries with it
a certain level of expectation:
From our superiors,
From ourselves,
and from the public.
People look up to us.
They applaud us in airports
They respect us for our sacrifice.
And thank us for our service.
Those aren't automatic perks of the job...
Never forget that.
You're more than a role model,
you are an Airman in the United States Air Force.
We don't just walk the straight and narrow,
we fly above it.
Our standards are higher.
Our ethics allow us to lead.
Ethics are a code of honor that say who we are as a military or nation
You represent yourself
and all Airmen that came before you.
Set the stage for those that follow.
In times of battle,
in times of peace,
the decisions we make in moments small and large...
in the heat of the moment...
in your everyday routine...
will define a lifetime of service.
Even when you're not in uniform,
you wear the Oath.
This is not just a lesson for an Airman basic.
On duty...
at home...
in a bar...
the crossroads will find you.
That one day is coming
and you will choose a path to fly above.
Choose wisely
and choose it every day.
You will always know in your heart
the difference between right and wrong.
If you see a gray area,
it could be that the right thing is hard.
We never told you being an Airman would be easy.
We live by a set of core values that will guide you.
We follow a code of ethics.
You took an oath to defend the constitution.
Not just with a weapon,
but with what you stand for.
You defend the principles and foundation of our nation with your character and your decisions
Be the Airman your country expects.
Be the Airman they believe in.
Be the Airman they applaud in the airport.
And remember these three simple words:
Aim High Airmen.
