Air Force Renews Focus on Discipline and Customs
In a renewed push to reinforce military customs and bolster discipline, the U.S. Air Force has issued a directive emphasizing the importance of professionalism among enlisted personnel, particularly in the realm of greeting higher-ranking officers. The guidance, outlined in a memo distributed across commands, was first reported in an article titled “Proper greetings, professionalism hammered home in Air Force memo” by Military Times.
According to the memo, senior Air Force leaders are increasingly concerned about a perceived erosion in basic military courtesies, such as saluting and rendering proper greetings, especially among newer airmen. The directive reaffirms traditional expectations that junior service members consistently and correctly acknowledge superior officers, a practice seen not only as a mark of respect but also as a foundational element of military order and cohesion.
The communication, originating from Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass and other top enlisted leaders, frames the issue as part of a broader effort to reinforce standards across the enlisted ranks. Leadership has noted that informal observations and reports from the field suggest a pattern of declining attentiveness to established norms, potentially fueled by shifting generational attitudes and changes in boot camp experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This latest message signals more than just a reminder of protocol; it is a call to preserve the fundamental principles of military culture. Air Force leaders stress that greetings of the day and rendering the appropriate courtesies are not optional embellishments but are core displays of discipline and mutual respect that underpin unit morale and combat readiness.
In addition to outlining expectations, the memo encourages supervisors and noncommissioned officers to model and enforce these standards. Leadership accountability is presented as essential in mentoring younger airmen, many of whom are still internalizing the military’s values and expectations. The Air Force intends for this renewed emphasis to foster a culture in which every airman upholds the service’s professional ideals regardless of rank or duty station.
While the military continues to evolve in response to new operational challenges and technological advancements, this directive reflects a commitment to continuity in the customs that define its identity. By directing renewed attention to something as seemingly simple as a proper salutation, the Air Force underscores that professionalism is not just a virtue — it is a necessity.
