Followership and the Air Force Core Values Published March 3, 2009 By Senior Master Sgt. Rick Vogel 21st Dental Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Followership can be defined as the willingness to cooperate in working towards the accomplishment of the mission, to demonstrate a high degree of teamwork, and to build cohesion among the organization. When we first entered active duty, we were all followers. We depended on our superiors to teach us what we needed to know and to train us to get the job done correctly. Our success was completely reliant on our leaders. One of the first things we were told to learn were the Air Force Core Values. Just as "the little blue book" states: study them, understand them, follow them, and encourage others to do the same. If you are new to the Air Force, it might seem a little peculiar for someone to tell you what your way of life is, as we all come from different "walks of life." Many were raised in accordance with what the Core Values stand for, but others may not have been. It comes down to one thing: we must be good followers to initially embrace these Core Values. Integrity First: Integrity is doing what is right, even when no one is looking. How does followership tie into integrity? · A person with integrity is a person you can trust, and trust is imperative for mission accomplishment. Followers need to be able to trust their leaders, supervisors, mentors and peers. Just as important, leaders must be able to trust their subordinates. Being a good follower means you are trusted through your actions and words. · Moral traits that make up integrity are: courage, honesty, responsibility, accountability, justice, openness, self-respect and humility. Service Before Self: This tells us our duties take precedence over our personal desires. We know we are subject to duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. What are some other ways good followers display Service Before Self? · Rule following -- AFIs. There is a reason they exist. · Respect for others -- Placing the needs of others ahead of your own. · Discipline and Self Control - Career Development Course fitness program and faith in the system. Excellence In All We Do: We must strive to be the best we can be. How does Excellence tie into being a good follower? · Followers may have an idea on how to accomplish a task better or how to work smarter. · Excellence in all we do encompasses product excellence, personal excellence, community excellence, resources excellence and operations excellence. As you progress through the ranks, make sure you take the time to be a great leader by showing subordinates how to be good followers - they are the future of tomorrow's Air Force. (Editor's Note: This article is one of several highlighting the Air Force Space Command Year of Leadership and its focus on followership.)