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A more martial manner

It will seem a novel idea to some.

Chief Master Sgt. Mike Ivey, command chief master sergeant of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., wants airmen to act militarily.

“Adhering to the principles of military discipline and enforcing standards serve as the foundation for accomplishing our mission,” Ivey wrote in a commentary distributed by the Air Force News Service.

Ivey clearly believes airmen should have a military bearing and should salute and say “sir” or “ma’am” when appropriate.

“Customs and courtesies are often overlooked” in the Air Force, Ivey wrote. “Yes, it’s easier to remain seated and continue typing an e-mail when someone of higher rank approaches our work area. It’s often inconvenient to stop our car when retreat plays, especially when we’re in a hurry to get somewhere.” He warned, “It’s just a matter of time until we start becoming complacent.”

If only that were true: The truth is, the complacency began a long time ago.

What do you think?

At a flying squadron the same day Ivey’s commentary was published, Jan. 9, officers and enlisted airmen slouched around a work area, addressing each other by first names. Outdoors, an officer in a flight suit walked on a sidewalk with his cap in his pocket. He was heading not for an aircraft but toward his office.

This is a military organization?

It will require a cultural shift not seen in generations, but it is time for the Air Force to conduct itself in a military manner.

That means rendering and returning a snappy salute when appropriate.

It means addressing people properly, including showing deference to those of higher rank.

It means maintaining a military appearance as much as possible.

I don’t know how far the chief would go to restore military conduct to an Air Force that hasn’t seen it in decades. Here is what I would do:

* Get a proper military uniform. Despite widespread skepticism, the proposed heritage coat would give airmen a military appearance for the first time in decades. Those who don’t like the coat need to suck it up. The current service dress uniform doesn’t work, and the new coat is essential.

* Wear a proper military uniform. Your flight suit belongs in an aircraft. Your airman battle uniform belongs in a work setting. The rest of the time, including time spent behind a desk in an office, airmen should wear service dress. The practice of wearing flight suits and ABUs in places like the Pentagon must end.

* Salute. When outdoors, salute. When in doubt, salute. Show proper deference to those of higher rank and address them appropriately. Even if you work together every day, don’t be buddy-buddy on the job. If it’s casual relationships you’re looking for, get a civilian job.

Ivey might not agree with me on all of these points, but he clearly believes airmen can improve their sense of discipline, military bearing and conduct. He also made it clear that proper behavior is more than a mere cosmetic adjustment.

He points out that once you start making mistakes with the small stuff, mistakes with the big stuff can follow: Complacent airmen might “miss something really important that degrades mission accomplishment, and worst case, a fellow airman gets injured or killed.”

Maybe that won’t happen if you fail to salute or to say “sir” or “ma’am.” Maybe the world will continue to rotate on its axis if you don’t adhere rigidly to military customs and courtesies. But don’t try to find out.

The Air Force has big problems that need to be solved. While seeking solutions, we shouldn’t be distracted by lax military bearing. It’s time to focus on proper military conduct so we’ll be at our best to focus on the larger issues.

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The writer, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is co-author of “Hell Hawks,” a history of an American fighter group in World War II. His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@cox.net.