Reply #158: Key to success: the “little brown book”

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Key to success: the “little brown book”
http://www.minot.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123032056

Commentary by Lt. Col. Paul Wheeless
5th Munitions Squadron commander

11/16/2006 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- I could never catch the first sergeant in my last squadron without his little blue Air Force core values book in his left breast pocket. It became akin to doing a coin check. A chief, he ultimately served our service 30 years (including 15 years as a first sergeant). Among the many things he continuously mentored in me and others was our commitment to being an Airman above that of our particular vocation.

During our tour together, Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, was overhauled by the 14th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. The "little brown book" as it is sometimes referred to defines us as "Airmen, rather than merely specialists." Its philosophy recognized the technical nature of our service and the diversity of our many functional areas, but filled a need for a consistent set of expectations and professional development regardless of specialty.

The beauty of the little brown book is its clarity and simplicity. It details responsibilities for Airmen in one chapter, non-commissioned officers in the next, and, finally, the senior NCO. The responsibilities for NCO and senior NCO are additive, meaning they are responsible for meeting the expectation of the lower tiers of the enlisted force as well as their own.

Since the revision and re-publication of this powerful pocket guide to Airmanship, I have been surprised by the limited awareness of its contents (even though it is standard fare in most enlisted professional military education). I have also been a little dismayed at some who don't live up to or enforce its standards.

Many of us in more senior positions often get asked for advice on how to succeed in the Air Force. The answer is simple: do your best to live up to the expectations contained in these complementary pocket books. Airmen that do this make the biggest contribution to the mission and to the development of their subordinates.

So pick up your copy of this 20-page booklet and add it to your core values book and carry them with you. Use it in feedback sessions to guide and develop your troops.

Most importantly, review it yourself and reflect on how you are doing and what you can do better. Trust me, if you do, you will surely have a very strong future in the Air Force.