USAFA Contrails Basic Knowledge

The Honor Oath

We will not Lie, Steal, or Cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, so help me God.

Air Force Core Values

Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do

US Air Force Mission

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight, and win...airpower anytime, anywhere

Airman’s Creed

I am an American Airman. I am a Warrior. I have answered my Nation's call.
I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage, A Tradition of Honor, and a Legacy of Valor.
I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice, My Nation's Sword and Shield, Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.
I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter, And I will not fail.

Code of Conduct for Members of the Armed Forces of the United States

I
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

II
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

III
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

IV
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

V
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

VI
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Cadet's Oath of Allegiance

I, (name), having been appointed an Air Force Cadet in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter.

Altimeter Check

My altitude is 7,258 feet above sea level--far, far above that of West Point or Annapolis.

Quote by General Charles A. Gabriel, Chief of Staff, USAF

Integrity First: "Integrity is the fundamental premise for military service in a free society. Without integrity, the moral pillars of our military strength, public trust, and self-respect are lost."

Quote by General George C. Marshall, USA

Service Before Self: "There is no limit to the good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit."

Quote Attributed to General Robert E. Lee

Service Before Self: "Duty, then, is the sublimest word in the English language. You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more. You should never wish to do less."

Quote by John Stuart Mill

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse. The person, who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

Quote by General George S. Patton Jr., USA

Service Before Self: "If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself."

Quote by Italian Air Marshall Giulio Douhet

Excellence in All We Do: "Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur."

Quote by General George S. Patton Jr., USA

Excellence in All We Do: "If you can't get them to salute when they should salute and wear the clothes you tell them to wear, how are you going to get them to die for their country?"

Quote by William Penn

"No man is fit to command another that cannot take care of himself."

The Star Spangled Banner II

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Star Spangled Banner III

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Star Spangled Banner IV

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The Air Force Song I (Wild Blue Yonder)

Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, giv'er the gun! Down we dive spouting our flame from under, Off with one hell-uv-a-roar! We live in fame or go down in flame, Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Air Force Song II

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder, Sent it high into the blue; Hands of men blasted the world asunder, How they lived God only knew! Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer, Gave us wing, ever to soar. With Scouts before and bombers galore, Nothing can stop the US Air Force!

Air Force Song III

Here is a toast to the host of those who love the vastness of the sky, To a friend we send the message of his brother men who fly. We drink to those who gave their all of old, Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold. A toast to the host of men we boast, The U.S. Air Force.

Air Force Song IV

Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true!
If you'd live to be a gray-haired wonder,
Keep the nose out of the blue!
Flying men guarding our nation's borders,
We'll be there followed by more.
In echelon we carry on!
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force.

President of the United States

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

Secretary of Defense/War

The Honorable Pete Hegseth

Secretary of the Air Force

The Honorable Dr. Troy E. Meink

Chief of Staff of the Air Force

The Honorable General Kenneth S. Wilsbach