'MISSION FIRST, PEOPLE ALWAYS": SOME AIRMEN DON’T FEEL MOTTO TO BE TRUE
“Mission first, people always” is a motto often preached throughout the U.S. military, especially, within the ranks of Airmen. The U.S. Air Force’s mantra is one fixated on getting the job done but remembering to take care of those making the mission possible. Not everyone feels like this motto is living up to its history due to recent pushes to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), though others feel that things may have been blown out of proportion.
'Mission First, People Always' & the Conflict of Airmen
The idea of DEI programs is decades old, stemming from a variety of causes looking to provide equal opportunity for everyone in society.
Many serving as airmen who live by the mission first, people always creed don’t feel that their work in this space being eliminated stays true to the nature of its calling.
More DEI Backlash
Air Force officers volunteering their time to help service members and their families are now finding their past efforts were for nothing due to The Pentagon eliminating DEI programs.
This includes the Family Readiness Summit an event responsible for helping reduce opioid overdoses by providing Narcan on military bases, which despite being funded by a nonprofit independent of the federal government, was still canceled.
Officers are frustrated that groups advocating for better gear and policy changes aimed at helping women, along with silence from leadership amid widespread changes many disagree with.
Shutting down volunteer groups doesn’t just impact military families; however, it also affects deployed airmen and the recruitment of future warfighters.
Although The Pentagon stands behind President Trump’s executive order ending DEI programs as the reason for these shutdowns, officers are arguing these changes affect mission readiness, instead.
Groups like Sword Athena focused on standardizing post-deployment support, helping airmen access the resources they needed to reintegrate into their communities.
Everything from the Women’s Initiative Team (WIT) to recruitment efforts at a time when the USAF is short 2,000 pilots are factors leading some to believe the erasure of progress gained over the years feels like a step backward.
Not Everyone Agrees
Even though the loss of DEI programs is affecting military families around the world, some believe the cuts are more of a political move from what should be an apolitical military branch.
Multiple voices on online forums point to the USAF as the reason such harsh cuts are being made, not the government. The general idea is that this is pushback conducted to undermine the President.
While some may argue that these issues aren’t tied to DEI, many of the above examples, such as helping women while serving, do have direct ties to such initiatives.
Regardless, the "mission first, people always" motto is still in question by many as the discord rings louder on both sides. Overall, it’s clear that these moves have had an immediate impact on morale.
Where Did “Mission First, People Always” Come From?
It’s impossible to say who was the first to create the “mission first, people always” motto; however, what’s clear is its meaning. Defending our nation is vital to the success of the American people, but if we do everything we can do but fail those sacrificing for our good—what’s the point?
Suggested reads:
SHARE:
TAGS:
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Get the latest news and military discounts
