Air Force Handbook 1 (AFH 1) Professionalism and Organization Study Guide
PROFESSIONALISM
Definition and Identity:
A professional is defined as someone who engages in a specific main occupation rather than a pastime; characterized as competent, assured, and skillful.
Professionalism describes both the USAF service identity and how Airmen conduct themselves as representatives.
Framed by trust, loyalty, dignity, personal commitment, and specifically rooted in respect.
Total Force Integration:
Effectively leverages officer, enlisted, and civilian Airmen across Regular Air Force (RegAF), Guard, Reserve, and Auxiliary components.
Values-based, mission-focused, and people-oriented.
Professional Obligations:
Guided by AFI 1-1, requiring strict order, discipline, and internalization of military values.
Focus must remain on devoted service to the nation rather than pay or the next assignment.
THE PROFESSION OF ARMS
Nature of the Calling:
A higher calling with higher standards than any other profession.
Practitioners serve as guardians of America's future, placing service and country above personal concerns.
Sacred Trust:
Distinguished by expertise in the justified application of lethal force.
Members are expected to be willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice—a requirement unique to the profession of arms.
AIR FORCE CORE VALUES AND VIRTUES
Universal Standards: Used to evaluate the ethical climate of all USAF organizations.
Integrity First:
Doing the right thing all the time, even when no one is watching.
Virtues: Honesty (unquestionable word), Courage (doing right despite fear), and Accountability (ownership of outcomes).
Service Before Self:
Professional duties take precedence over personal desires.
Virtues: Duty (obligation to perform), Loyalty (commitment to nation/values/team), and Respect (self-respect, mutual respect, and organizational honor).
Excellence In All We Do:
Continuous improvement and innovation to surpass adversaries.
Virtues: Mission (operational focus/stewardship), Discipline (upholding personal standards), and Teamwork (interdependency and organizational excellence).
ETHICAL STANDARDS AND DILEMMAS
Ethics vs. Laws: Laws dictate what we can/cannot do; ethics dictate what we should or shouldn't do to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
Principles and Guidelines (Title 5, CFR, Part 2635):
Public service is a public trust.
No financial conflicts of interest.
No soliciting/accepting gifts from entities seeking action or from subordinates (limit for special occasions usually $10).
Identifying and Testing Ethical Decisions:
Sources of dilemmas: Uncertainty, competing values, potential harm.
The Network Test: How would this look on the news or social media?
The United States of America Test: Is it good for the nation, the USAF, and the unit?
The Divine Test: Would I feel good about this when giving an account for my life?
HONORABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Valor: Facing danger in a resolute manner; bravery and fortitude.
Courage: Three critical types: Personal (doing right vs. career risk), Physical (overcoming fear of bodily harm), and Moral (standing by values when unpopular).
Sacrifice: Willingness to give time, comfort, or life to meet others' needs.
THE AIRMAN’S CREED
Introduced in 2007 by General T. Michael Moseley (18th CSAF).
Intent: To reinvigorate the Total Force and enhance the building of a warrior ethos.
Key Tennants: Warrior identity, faithful to heritage/tradition/valor, and the promise to "never leave an Airman behind," "never falter," and "not fail."
MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND COMMAND AUTHORITY
Command Authority: Established levels of responsibility stemming from the U.S. President through the SecDef.
Chain of Command:
President (Commander in Chief) -> Secretary of Defense -> Combatant Commanders (Operational).
President -> Secretary of Defense -> Secretaries of Military Departments (Administrative).
Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986) permits communications through the CJCS.
Department of Defense (DoD):
America's largest government agency (1.3M Regular, 826K Guard/Reserve, 742K Civilians).
Armed Forces Policy Council: Assists the SecDef in long-range broad defense policy.
Under Secretaries of Defense: Six roles assisting the SecDef (Policy, Comptroller, Personnel & Readiness, A&S, Research & Engineering, and Intelligence).
Joint Staff and Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS):
Chairman (CJCS): Principal military advisor but has no military command over the JCS or Armed Forces.
Vice Chairman (VCJCS): Prescribed by Chairman, 2-year tour.
Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEAC): Highest senior enlisted position in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Members: CJCS, VCJCS, CSAF, Chief of Staff Army, Chief Naval Ops, CMC, Chief of Space Operations, and Chief of NGB.
MILITARY DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS
Key West Agreement (1948/1958): Established specific roles and missions for each branch.
U.S. Army: Land dominance and operations; occupation of land.
U.S. Navy: Combat-ready naval forces; suppress enemy commerce; protection of sea lanes.
U.S. Marine Corps: Service on naval vessels; seizing/defending naval bases; limited land operations.
U.S. Coast Guard: Resides in Homeland Security; shifts to Navy upon declaration of war; law enforcement on high seas.
USAF: Air offensive/defensive operations; air superiority/supremacy; strategic reconnaissance; airlift.
U.S. Space Force: Freedom of operation in space; protect U.S. interests in space; deter space aggression.
COMBATANT COMMANDS (CCMD)
Total Commands: 11 total.
Geographic AOR Commands:
USAFRICOM (Stuttgart, GE): Africa.
USCENTCOM (MacDill AFB, FL): Middle East and Central Asia.
USEUCOM (Stuttgart, GE): Europe, parts of Middle East/Eurasia.
USNORTHCOM (Peterson AFB, CO): North America, Mexico, Canada, Homeland Security.
USINDOPACOM (Camp H.M. Smith, HI): Indo-Pacific (36 nations).
USSOUTHCOM (Miami, FL): Latin America and Caribbean.
Functional Commands:
USSOCOM (MacDill AFB, FL): Special operations.
USSTRATCOM (Offutt AFB, NE): Nuclear deterrent and global strike.
USCYBERCOM (Fort Meade, MD): Cyberspace superiority.
USTRANSCOM (Scott AFB, IL): Global mobility and deployment.
USSPACECOM (Peterson AFB, CO): Deliver space combat power.
USAF TOTAL FORCE COMPONENTS
One Team: RegAF, USAF Reserve, and Air National Guard.
Associations:
Classic Association: Regular unit is host; Reserve/Guard unit is tenant.
Active Association: Reserve/Guard unit is host; Regular unit is tenant.
Air National Guard (ANG): Dual Federal and State mission. Command vested in State Governors unless mobilized by the President.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP): DAF Auxiliary. Non-profit, congressionally chartered. Three programs: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Program.
Air Force Junior ROTC: High school program for citizenship and leadership; no military service obligation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE (DAF) STRUCTURE
Secretariat: Comprised of the SecAF and principal staff.
SecAF: Civilian appointed by President; responsible for recruiting, equipping, and training.
CSAF: General Officer, 4-year appointment; Agent to the SecAF.
Air Staff Codes:
A1: Manpower/Personnel.
A2/6: intel/ISR/Cyber.
A3: Operations.
A4: Logistics/FE/Protection.
A5/7: Strategy/Integration/Reqs.
A8: Strategic Plans.
A10: Nuclear Integration.
Management Levels:
MAJCOM: (e.g., ACC, AMC, AFMC).
Numbered Air Force (NAF): Intermediate level; non-component NAFs < 99 personnel.
Wing: (Min 1,000 people/750 for ARC). Operational, Air Base, or Specialized.
Group: (Min 400 people/200 for ARC). Tactical echelon.
Squadron: (Min 35 people). The basic building block/nucleus of the USAF.
Flight: Numbered, Alpha, or Functional.
Element: Subdivision of filters.
ENLISTED FORCE DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Levels:
Tactical Expertise: Mastery of core skills; hone followership; assimilate into culture.
Operational Competence: Integrated diverse capabilities; lead teams; build coalitions.
Strategic Vision: Complex/multi-tiered organizations; enterprize perspective; deep understanding of joint/coalition capabilities.
Foundational Competencies: Four categories: Developing Self, Others, Ideas, and Organizations.
Enlisted Force Structure (Tiers):
Junior Enlisted (AB, Amn, A1C, SrA): Adapting to military; occupational proficiency.
NCO (SSgt, TSgt): Lead, supervise, and mentor; unit technicians/experts.
SNCO (MSgt, SMSgt, CMSgt): Strategic leadership; influence and leverage resources.
Duty Titles: Includes Supervisor, NCOIC, Section Chief, Flight Chief, Manager, and Chief.
CMSAF History: Position created Oct 1966. Paul W. Airey first CMSAF (April 1967).
Force Development Tools:
MyVECTOR: Web-based career planning, mentoring, and DSE catalog.
Occupational Analysis Program: Managed by AETC; evaluates specialty training relevancy/efficacy via surveys.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Continuum of Learning: Combined experiences, education, and training.
OJT Components: Job Knowledge (CDC), Job Proficiency (hands-on), and Job Experience.
Upgrade Training Levels:
3-level: Apprentice (Technical School).
5-level: Journeyman (CDCs + supervisor rec).
7-level: Craftsman (SSgt Select + 7-lvl school if required).
9-level: Superintendent (SMSgt).
Unit Training Management:
UTM: Commander's consultant for training.
Supervisor: MTL development; 100% task coverage.
Task Certifier: Third-party validation (SSgt/5-lvl min).
Training Documentation:
DAF Form 623: Individual Training Record.
DAF Form 623A: Continutation sheet for status/counseling.
CFETP: Comprehensive core document for life-cycle education.
PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (PME)
Operational Control: Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education (Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex).
Levels:
ALS: SrA. Prepare for supervision. ALS-DL for ARC.
NCOA: TSgt. Intermediate leadership experience.
SNCOA: Sharpen senior leader skills for joint/combined environments.
CLC: Capstone for newly selected Chiefs.
EJPME I & II: Web-based joint education for senior levels.
International Academies: IAAFA (Inter-American) and IEAFA (Inter-European).
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE (CCAF)
Activated 1972. Federally chartered degree-granting institution exclusively for enlisted.
Associate in Applied Science (AAS): Requires 64 semester hours (SH).
Technical Education: 24 SH.
Leadership/Mgmt: 6 SH.
General Ed (Math, English, Humanities, Social Science, Speech): 15 SH.
Electives: 15 SH.
Programs: AU-ABC (Bachelors link), GEM (Gen Ed), and AFCOOL ($4,500 funding for professional credentials).
JSAMTCC: Streamlines FAA certification for aviation maintainers.
CONTINUING EDUCATION & COMMISSIONING
Financial Assistance: Tuition Assistance (TA) caps per year; Montgomery GI Bill (initial pay reduction); Post-9/11 GI Bill (transferability to dependents).
Credit by Exam: CLEP and DSST (managed by DANTES).
Commissioning Paths:
Officer Training School (OTS).
LEAD (Academy nomination by CC).
SOAR and ASCP (ROTC scholarships).
Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.
Enlisted to Medical Degree (EMDP2).
ASSESSMENTS AND RECOGNITION (ACA)
Airman Comprehensive Assessment (ACA): Formal two-way communication between rater and ratee.
Forms:
AF Form 724: Officers.
AF Form 931: AB through TSgt.
AF Form 932: MSgt through CMSgt.
Timeline:
Initial: Within 60 days of starting supervision.
Mid-term: Midway through reporting period.
Ratees can request feedback if >60 days since last ACA.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
Objectives: Record performance/potential; aid talent management; document sex-related offenses.
Statements: Performance statements must include behavior/action + impact/outcome.
Adverse Information: Must be specific. Vague comments like "error in judgment" are prohibited.
Civilian Convictions: Mandatory to report findings of guilt or pleas of no contest (excluding minor traffic).
ENLISTED PROMOTIONS
Quotas: DoD limits E-8 and E-9 to 2.5% and 1.25% of the force, respectively.
Programs:
BTZ: One-time early SrA promotion (6 months early).
STEP: Commander-driven promotion for compelling cases.
WAPS: Weighted points for PFE (Fitness) and SKT (Specialty). Min score 40 each; combined min 90.
Accepting Promotion (E-8/E-9): Requires active duty service commitment (2 years for E-8, 3 years for E-9).
Test Compromise: No group study. Violation involves UCMJ Art 92.
Evaluation Boards: Score from 6 to 10 points (half-point increments). Multiplied by factor of 15 for total score range 270-450.
LEAVE AND BENEFITS
Accrual: 2.5 days per month (Max 60 carry-over).
Types:
Annual: Standard vacation.
Advance: Borrowing future accrual for emergencies.
Bereavement: 14 non-chargeable days for spouse/child death (if <30 days accrued leave).
Convalescent: For recuperation.
Terminal: Taken with separation/retirement.
Parental: 12 weeks non-chargeable.
Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC):
TAP: Transitions assistance (NLT 365 days prior to separation).
EFMP: Coordination for family with disabilities.
SOES: SGLI online enrollment (Max $500,000 coverage).
Family Care Plans: Mandatory for single parents or military-to-military with dependents.
FINANCE AND ALLOWANCES
Pay: Basic pay (largest component). Set by National Defense Authorization Act.
Allowances (Nontaxable):
BAS: Food cost offset.
BAH: Local civilian housing market cost offset.
OHA: Reimbursement for overseas housing.
FSA: Separation for >30 days (Temporary or Restricted).
Deductions:
Involuntary: FICA (SS/Medicare), FITW (Income tax), SITW (State), AFRH ($1).
Voluntary: TSP (Traditional/Roth). 2023 limit $22,500.
Debts: The USAF can collect debts >$100 without consent for government losses.
RESOURCE AND MANPOWER MANAGEMENT
UMD: Primary document listing funded/unfunded unit requirements.
CSM: Commercial Services Management. Uses competitive sourcing (public-private competition).
PPBE Process: Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution.
FWA Prevention:
Fraud: Intentional deception.
Waste: Extravagant expenditure.
Abuse: Intentionally wrongful use of rank/position.
Property Custodian: Directly responsible for physical custody; financially liable for losses.
Civil Engineer Work: Direct (minor), Planned (complex), Emergency (threat to life).
TEAMWORK AND CONFLICT
Stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing.
Conflict Management Styles (Thomas-Kilmann):
Competing (Forcing): Use of authority.
Collaborating: Win-win outcomes.
Accommodating: Giving in.
Avoiding: Neutral/withdrawal.
Compromising: Partial satisfaction for both parties.
THE LEADER MODEL (M-E-N-T-O-R-I-N-G)
M: Model behavior.
E: Empathize.
N: Nurture.
T: Teach.
O: Organize.
R: Respond (two-way comms).
I: Inspire.
N: Network.
G: Goal-set (SMART goals).
COUNSELING APPROACHES
Nondirective: Preferred. Leader listens, Airman makes decisions.
Directive: Leader tells Airman what to do. Best for simple problems/short time.
Combined: Blend of both.
FULL RANGE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (FRLD)
Passive: Laissez-Faire (indifferent).
Transactional:
Mgmt by Exception-Passive: Intervene only if broken.
Mgmt by Exception-Active: Very active supervision.
Contingent Rewards: Contracts for performance.
Transformational: Offer vision/mission.
Individualized Consideration (Nurture).
Intellectual Stimulation (Thinking).
Inspirational Motivation (Charming).
Idealized Influence (Role model).
DEVELOPING SELF
Mindsets: Fixed Mindset (ability is permanent) vs. Growth Mindset (capacity to improve).
Self-Control: Limited like a muscle; gets depleted; can be strengthened with daily practice.
Positive Reappraisal: Cognitive strategy to re-interpret stress as a challenge rather than a threat.
COMMUNICATION
FOCUS Principles: Focused, Organized, Clear, Understanding, Supported.
Seven Steps: Analyze Purpose -> Research -> Support Ideas -> Organize -> Draft -> Edit -> Feedback.
Air Force Papers: Point Paper (jogger), Talking Paper (notes for speaker), Bullet/Background Paper (concise chronology), Position Paper (proposal advocacy), Staff Study (problem analysis).
E-mail Rules: Conciseness; watch tone (no ALL CAPS); be selective with recipients (reply all sparingly).
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Seven Pillars: Risk Mgmt, Planning, Capabilities, Evaluation, Program Reviews, Investment, Adaptation.
Missions: Prevention, Protection, Response, Recovery, Mitigation.
CBRN Agents:
Chemical: Blister, Blood, Choking, Nerve.
Biological: Viruses, bacteria, fungi, toxins.
Nuclear: Blast/shock, thermal radiation, ionizing, EMP.
Warnings:
Alarm Green: Attack not probable.
Alarm Yellow: Attack probable <30 mins (MOPP 2).
Alarm Red/Blue: Attack imminent/in progress (MOPP 4).
Alarm Black: Attack over; contamination suspected.
MOPP Levels:
0: Field gear worn, overgarment/boots/gloves/mask carried.
1: Overgarment worn.
2: Overgarment and boots worn.
3: Overgarment, boots, and mask worn.
4: All gear (including gloves) worn.
SALUTE Reporting: Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, Equipment.
SAPR PROGRAM
Consent: Words/acts indicating freely given agreement; absence of resistance is NOT consent.
Reporting Options:
Restricted: SARC/SAPR VA/VVA/Healthcare providers only. No investigation. Can convert to unrestricted.
Unrestricted: Command/Law enforcement. Full investigation initiated. Irrevocable.
Safe-to-Report Policy: Victims of sexual assault are not disciplined for minor collateral misconduct (underage drinking, fraternization).
MILITARY CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
National Anthem: Outdoors in uniform: salute. Indoors without headgear: stand at attention.
Saluting: Salute U.S. President, superior officers (warrant/comm), and Medal of Honor recipients (whether in uniform or not).
Order of Precedence for Flags: National Guard -> Army -> Navy -> Marines -> Coast Guard -> Air Force -> Space Force.
Drill Commands: Preparatory command + command of execution.
AF Memorial: Three asymmetrical spires (201, 231, and 270 ft) located in Arlington, VA.