It is imperative we demonstrate an unwavering adherence to all published directives Published June 10, 2008 By Bruce Carlson, Gen, USAF AFMC/CC JUNE 2008 -- As a professional Air Force, it is imperative we demonstrate an unwavering adherence to all published directives, tactics, techniques, and procedures. It is this discipline and our commitment to the fundamentals of our profession that make us the greatest Air Force in history. Recent events have brought this discipline into question and uncovered some very troubling indications of a breakdown of our most basic competencies. There is zero tolerance for blatantly ignoring prescribed technical orders and checklists, taking shortcuts or pencil whipping documents. Yet, it's happening in our Air Force and in our Command...and it must stop. Some have simply lost thier focus. Here's how I see it. If you examine a championship team, you'll quickly find what sets them apart from the competition is their ability to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well. To be the best, you must aggressively execute the fundamentals...the basic blocking and tackling of our business. The same holds true in our Air Force. It's not our technology that makes us the most powerful force known to man; it's our ability to harness that technology through a disciplined approach executed by our people. No matter your job in our Command, there are fundamental disciplines that enable you to do your job in a way that allows others to do theirs. The sum of this discipline results in our ability to deliver war-winning capabilities. A breakdown anywhere in the chain will hamper, or even cripple our efforts...it's that simple. What are the basic fundamentals of your job? It could be maintenance discipline, constant safety vigilance, unwavering adherence to instructions and checklists, robust OSS&E, supply documentation, strict accountability or even your FOD program. It's not for me to tell you what these things are, you know them, and I'm asking you all to take time to refocus on the basics. Commanders and Directors I'm asking you to personally take the lead for this in your organization. Let me be clear, I'm not interested in a "Back to Basics" program...this is more than a program, it must drive to the very heart of what we do in the Air Force. Performing the basic fundamentals of our job better than anyone else is a journey, it's not a destination to get "back" to...it's something to always strive towards. I need your help and your personal commitment to get us moving in that direction and to restore the nation's confidence in their Air Force. I remain your fellow wingman, Bruce Carlson, Gen, USAF Commander