My Personal Core Values Paper

Only being able to pick five personal values from the broad list was a bit difficult for me. I believe the ones I did choose have a similar connection with the Air Force’s core values too. There are definitely comparable traits between the two values, the top five personal values I selected were: Being the best, Empathy, fun, happiness, and optimism. My last three personal values can be combined and play a key role with each other while individually still being significant.

Core Values That I Profess in My Own Life

The core value of “Excellence in All We Do” is extremely similar to my value of being the best. To me, it does not matter if I am on or off duty, I will always strive for excellence. In my life, I have always made an effort to do the absolute best job I am capable of achieving. Whether it was a simple task of sweeping a floor or expertly operating a fire truck, I will try to be the best at it. Being the best was the first value I chose because I like being knowledgeable and competent at what I do. Not only does it give me a sense of pride, but I also appreciate the fact that people can trust me and know I am reliable to accomplish any task I am given. Additionally, the Air Force core value of “Integrity First” can also relate to being the best. Integrity is a vital part of one’s character and could you really be the best if it didn’t exist? Absolutely not! It is the “moral compass” and basis for the trust imperative in today’s Air Force.

Empathy or the ability to understand and share the feelings of another correlates with the core value of “Service Before Self”. Instead of establishing my decisions through selfish intentions, I always think about the feelings of others that I may affect. I consider empathy to be one of the most important values for me as well as one of my strengths. The consideration of another person’s feelings is a sign of respect and kindness. Everyone should have some empathy so that we can all function better together as a team and successfully accomplish our mission. Without empathy, we wouldn’t be able to place the welfare of our peers and subordinates ahead of our own needs or comfort. This is key in effectively achieving the virtue of selfless dedication to duty at all times and circumstances or “Service Before Self”.

My last three values can be combined because they work hand in hand but, individually they are still important to me while playing a key role within each other. Starting with my value of fun, I like to find amusement in life because it gives me the essential motivation to perform efficiently. In my opinion, I find it challenging to focus or learn if I am not having fun. However, I have to know the appropriate times to be fun and the time to be professional. This will have me questioning my core value of “Integrity First” because integrity is not a suit you can take on or off. As an airman, I must be professional on and off duty.

Although, when I am having fun, I am usually extremely happy. Happiness is another one of my values, the feeling of contentment or joy is what I persistently pursue in my life. When I have happiness, it allows me to be passionate about my job. It also promotes the right mindset for me, helping me get out of bed every day to effectively tackle any obstacle I face with ease. Allowing me to maintain a connection to the core value of “Service Before Self” it means that we place our trust in the process, procedures, and other Airman to get the job done and in the right way. Together, fun and happiness is the foundation of my last value, optimism. The tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions is optimism. Having optimism gives me the mental resiliency to push and achieve greater things. I also foster an atmosphere of positive energy motivating those around me and increasing productivity. Without it would lead to an environment of negativity and life of failure, which is not demonstrating the core value of “Excellence in All We Do”.

Final Thoughts

My values of being the best, empathy, fun, happiness, and optimism can easily be capable of aligning and supporting with all three of the Air Force’s core values. Both values are particularly alike which makes it extremely easy to align. Especially between being the best and “Excellence in All We Do”. There will be times where they will conflict with one another, but I must remember my Profession of Arms and my oath of service. So, it is paramount that I make the Air Force values my primary concern. Service before self is a total commitment to the highest ideals of personal sacrifice in defense of the Constitution and the United States.

Works Cited

1. Air Force Handbook 1, Airman (2019). Washington, DC: Department of the Air Force.
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