service before self essay

The booklet says, “Service before self tells us that professional duties take precedence over personal desires.” The booklet goes on to say we must place the needs of others above our own personal comfort, that we must exhibit discipline and self-control in our daily affairs, and that we must have faith in the system—our Air Force.

They make our all-volunteer service what it is. But if you find that personal desires come before following the rules, respecting others, maintaining discipline and self control, or keeping faith in the system, then you are absolutely in the wrong profession.

“The concept of 'service before self' was molded in my ethos and tested repeatedly across the globe. These experiences have ignited a desire for continued public service while always prioritizing the needs of country and community before self.”

Balancing the aspects of service before self and learning is an obstacle that will always exists. We must acknowledge this in order to become the most effective leader we can be. Another personal value I hold dear to me is excellence.

The one I hold above all others is service before self. This simple little three-word phrase, in my opinion, is the bedrock of our nation's armed forces and the invisible fabric that binds us together to transform individual Airmen into the world's premier air and space force.

My definition of service before self: doing your duty with respect, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and relinquishing your stake in the outcome. My challenge to you is to make the commitment to go through life doing what you do the best you can do it and never look back. The rewards will come.

What is service before self, or much less, service? Service is the action of helping or doing work for someone. Every member of the military is in the service with their specific mission.

The "Little Blue Book" states that Service before self tells us that professional duties take precedence over personal desires. Additionally, it stresses rule following, respect for others, discipline and self-control, as well as faith in the system.

We are all familiar with the Air Force's second core value of Service Before Self and experience it daily, especially with its deep implications to long duty hours, extended deployments, separation

Service Before Self. The day I finally signed up to join the military I knew I was taking a risk in my life. I believe it is important to take risks in life to move into bigger and better things. My first huge decision I made in my life was to join the United States Air Force.