Royal Air Force Ethos, Core Values and Standards

1 THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Royal Air Force Ethos, Core Values and Standards Air Publication 1. 3rd Revision. October 2019. 1. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Message from the Chief of the Air Staff To all Royal Air Force Personnel This publication sets out the Values You should put this publication at which everyone in the Royal Air Force the heart of your commitment to the The Royal Air Force has a well-earned is expected to hold dear. It identifies Royal Air Force - it aims to inspire you reputation for excellence in delivering air the high moral and professional to set the example and to lead those and space power, and a proud history of Standards we should expect of ourselves around you, whatever their rank or success. While capable aircraft, weapons and of each other. These Values and position. Your positive example will and support elements are fundamental Standards underpin our ethos and form motivate other members of the Royal to that reputation and success, it is the foundation of the mutual trust, Air Force team to uphold the Service's you - as individuals, leaders, and as part leadership and teamwork on which exceptional reputation for which we are of a team - who ultimately make the our Service depends.

2 In addition to justly renowned. difference and give the Royal Air Force your personal commitment to these its competitive edge. It is only through Standards , I expect leaders at every level your endeavours that we can be a truly to be engaged, authentic and relentless agile, adaptable and capable Air Force . in upholding the exemplary Standards of conduct and behaviour that are Our work is often done in challenging the foundation of our reputation and and hazardous circumstances. Success Air Chief Marshal our operational success. In return for in these circumstances can only be Mike Wigston these exceptional demands, we must achieved by motivated, capable and CBE ADC continue to improve what we offer to self-disciplined individuals driven by you: continuing to develop your terms exceptional leadership at all levels of of employment to meet your needs, the Service. By the very nature of the aspirations and expectations; and air and space environment, we must be being truly diverse and inclusive, better pioneering in approach, pragmatic in reflecting the society we serve.

3 Delivery, courageous, fair and just. 2 3. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . The Ethos, Core Values and Standards of the Royal Air Force Introduction Working alongside and often within Our purpose is to protect the people the other Services, we offer political of Britain, prevent conflict, and be choice and global agility for the UK. ready to fight Britain's enemies. We Government. We have a proud history are prepared for the present, fit for the of success and we continue to lead the future. Our legitimate use of lethal Force development and delivery of air and in military operations sets us apart from space power across the full range of civilian professions, and the challenging global operations. We are inherently demands on our people are unique. Joint' and international in our outlook We can be called upon at any time to and in the way we operate. Our people make personal sacrifices in the service are agile, adaptable and capable - of the Nation and the Crown.

4 Our ethos, across the Whole Force . This makes the Values and Standards are at the core of Royal Air Force an agile, adaptable and our commitment. capable organisation. 4 5. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Ethos The Royal Air Force Ethos well-being of all our colleagues, we are The Royal Air Force Ethos is our bound by a strong sense of tradition and distinctive character, spirit and attitude belonging to an organisation of which that is necessary to pull together we are immensely proud. as a team to deliver air and space power, no matter the challenge or the Effective and consistent leadership environment. We place Royal Air Force throughout the Service is crucial to success above self and strive to be maintaining our ethos. Every member courageous in the face of adversity and of the Royal Air Force has the duty risk. Sustained by strong leadership at and ability to lead, no matter what all levels, high professional and personal their rank or position, and has a moral Standards , and a commitment to the responsibility to live by our core Values .

5 6 7. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Core Values Core Values of the Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force Core Values are the beliefs and principles that define who we are. Our Core Values are: R Respect I Integrity S Service E Excellence. These Values help to unify the Royal Air Force and are the bedrock of our Ethos as a warfighting Service. 8 9. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Respect Service in the Royal Air Force is more than just loyalty to the Crown and our comrades - it is also about respect and a sense of pride in belonging to an exceptional team. Service flows from the duty to put others first and it means there is no place for prejudice or discrimination. 10 11. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Respect Self-Respect Humility People who encourage an environment Irrespective of your position or rank, of high personal Standards , team work every person you engage with has and professionalism are key to nurturing the right to be treated as an equal.

6 All self-respect in those around them. Service personnel should aim to be People with self-respect have high modest, genuine and reasonable with personal Standards and behave in ways others, respecting their right to hold that bring credit to themselves, their different views and opinions. team and the Royal Air Force . Inclusion Mutual Respect In the Royal Air Force , total inclusivity Respect for others is essential - up and is not negotiable; it is critical to team down the chain of command, amongst cohesion and operational success. peers and civilian colleagues, and for the Each one of us has a responsibility to society that we protect. The close-knit ensure the people around us always feel Whole Force family is richly diverse, and welcome and included. we must value and respect everyone, regardless of their, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social background, or any other characteristic. Some of these characteristics are protected by law, but true respect goes beyond legal requirements, and Service personnel must always maintain the highest Standards of decency and justice towards people, whatever the circumstances.

7 12 13. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Integrity Integrity is about being honest and having strong moral principles. It is the basis for the trust that is essential for the Royal Air Force to operate effectively and it reflects the key principles of moral courage, honesty and justice. 14 15. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Integrity Moral Courage Justice Moral courage is about doing the A person with integrity routinely right thing, even though it might demonstrates balanced and consistent be unpopular or dangerous and behaviour and treatment. It is vital that the personal cost might be high. everyone in the Royal Air Force is treated Maintaining personal Values and the fairly and consistently and that justice is highest Standards of decency and done - and seen to be done - without behaviour in the face of opposition prejudice or favour.

8 Earns the respect of others and builds trust. Moral courage is also about creating a culture where subordinates are empowered to challenge leaders constructively and leaders are prepared to listen. Honesty Honesty is integral to the Royal Air Force because, as members of the armed forces, our word must never be in doubt. Dishonesty or breaches of trust show a lack of integrity and call into question an individual's reliability. Dishonesty damages trust and team cohesion, and impacts upon operational effectiveness. 16 17. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Service Service is the ultimate act of unselfish commitment, and military life is one of selfless service to the Crown and the Nation. Professional duties must take precedence over personal interests, with a willingness to serve others before ourselves. Royal Air Force service epitomises the Values of loyalty, commitment, teamwork and courage.

9 18 19. THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards THE Royal AIR Force ETHOS, CORE Values AND Standards . Service Physical and Mental Courage Commitment Courage, both physical and mental, is Commitment works two ways: the cornerstone upon which bravery, commitment of the individual to the fighting spirit and success depend. The Service and, in return, commitment delivery of air power is an inherently from the Service to the individual. For dangerous business and can involve us individuals, it means steadfast dedication in tasks that require deadly Force . Military to serve wherever and whenever service means that we might have to take required, whatever the discomfort the lives of others or knowingly risk our or danger. For those in command or own life, or we may witness the injury leadership positions, it demands that or death of our friends and colleagues. we meet in full our responsibilities to Operating in such difficult circumstances subordinates.

10 The Royal Air Force is requires significant physical and mental committed to ensuring that personnel courage and the mutual support of are properly prepared for operations, courageous colleagues. and to managing people's careers and professional and personal development Loyalty fairly, balancing Service needs with From the moment we are attested or individual aspirations. commissioned, we are committed to an unswerving loyalty to defend, uphold Teamwork and preserve the Crown. Loyalty works Teamwork means working effectively at all levels: team members must show with every member of our Service, professional and social loyalty to each with the Army and the Royal Navy, civil other; leaders must be loyal to their servants, contractors, the public and subordinates, representing their interests our allies. It's about creating a Whole and dealing with their concerns fairly; Force environment, where all personnel and, individuals must be loyal to their have a voice and feel valued, which is leaders, their team and to their duty.