22.1 Way of Life (AFH-1 Section 19A)

22.1 Way of Life (AFH-1 Section 19A)

Quick Answer: Section 19A is B for SSgt and B for TSgt. Standards bind on duty and off duty. AFI 1-1 requires a bar higher than civilian life. Instructions tell you what to do; manuals tell you how to. Airmen are always subject to duty, including weekends, holidays, and leave. Standards must be uniformly known, consistently applied, and non-selectively enforced.

On duty, off duty, and the higher standard

Paragraph 19.1: USAF employees are required to comply with prescribed standards of conduct in all official matters, as well as when off-duty. That covers military and civilian Airmen in the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard. They maintain honesty, responsibility, and accountability and the core values Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do, and they hold fellow Airmen accountable.

The USAF mission is critical to national security, global stability, and international relations. AFI 1-1 states that mission importance and inherent responsibility to the nation require members to adhere to higher standards than those expected in civilian life. While DoD and USAF policies already give specific guidance, leaders must keep members informed of USAF standards and take timely and appropriate actions so conduct meets the spirit and intent of USAF policy on proper conduct.

The publications system (19.2)

Prepare publications in accordance with DAFI 90-160, Publications and Forms Management. That includes policy directives, instructions, manuals, mission directives, and operating instructions. Extra drafting guidance does not apply to mission directives, which follow HOI 90-1, Headquarters Air Force Mission Directives and Department of Defense Issuances Program, or AFI 38-101, Manpower and Organization.

Instructions = what to do. Manuals = how to. Both are orders of the Secretary, so both are directive. Nondirective compliance is expected but not mandatory. AFH 1 itself is a handbook. DAFPDs, instructions, and manuals are written so an average Air and Space Professional can understand them.

Series numbers are organized based on USAF Specialty Code (Table 19.1):

AFI 1-1 is Air Force culture. DAFI 90-160 is special management. AFI 38-101 is manpower and organization.

Always subject to duty, and General Orders (19.3)

AFI 1-1 states that the mission must be accomplished, even at great risk and personal sacrifice. Airmen are always subject to duty, including weekends, holidays, and while on leave. If directed by competent authority, they must report at any time, at any location, for as long as necessary.

Strive to be resilient — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The USAF enforces more restrictive rules and elevated standards than those of the civilian community.

General Orders provide clear and concise guidance tailored to good order and discipline in the deployed setting. Operations often place Airmen where local laws and customs or mission requirements restrict activities generally permissible in our society. Comply to preserve host-nation relations and support friendly forces. No mission, particularly a combat mission, can succeed without the discipline and resilience produced by strict compliance. Members who fail to comply may face adverse administrative action, non-judicial punishment, or criminal prosecution pursuant to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Follow, articulate, enforce (19.4)

USAF standards must be uniformly known, consistently applied, and non-selectively enforced. Failure to ensure accountability hinders the trust of the American public. Learn the standards well enough to follow them, articulate them clearly to subordinates, and enforce proper observation by other members. AFH 1 points to 5 CFR 2635, Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, the Joint Ethics Regulation, and AFI 1-1.