Accountability, Responsibility and You

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sirena Morris
  • 8th Services Squadron Commander
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Accountability by definition requires someone to be answerable or responsible. Being responsible is defined as having a capacity for moral decisions and, therefore making one accountable and capable of rational thought or action. Accountability and responsibility are highly related. 

We often discuss accountability and responsibility as it pertains to our work sections. Being accountable for what we do or don't do is important as it pertains to the mission, and taking for action, discrepancies we find. When it comes to being accountable on the job, many see this as just an extension of our commitment to the mission. But what about off-duty, beyond the work place? 

Accountability extends far beyond our duty sections; it reaches into our daily lives and as members of the U. S. Air Force, we are accountable at all times. Yet, often times when the weekend hits, people forget those standards and believe they can "cut loose" without consequence. 

Beyond the workplace, we are each accountable and responsible for ourselves, the actions we take or don't take, the things we say or don't say and no one else can take that responsibility from us. While I totally support the wingman policy, your wingman is not responsible for you or your actions ... only you are. 

Having a wingman does not free you from your obligation to society or the Air Force to be a responsible citizen. Some Airmen perceive their wingman as someone who is there to keep them out of trouble. There is only so much your wingman can do when you are inevitably bring that trouble onto yourself. 

Let's take for example, alcohol consumption. If you choose to drink more than a reasonable person should, you're putting your wingman and you in an unfavorable situation. If you should break curfew or commit some other infraction, ultimately you're responsible for your own actions. Your wingman can help prevent you from doing something stupid and possibly help you recover from bad decisions but you have the majority of the accountability on your shoulders. 

Aside from being accountable for your actions as it pertains to off duty buffoonery, you're also accountable and responsible for your future, because no one will take care of you like you. If you want a good performance report you have to take action and give your supervisor something to work with. You can't expect them to write a great performance report if your work ethic doesn't warrant one, or if you don't keep them abreast of your progress. You are responsible for what goes into your records. 

Likewise, if you want to be recognized, you have to get involved. No one can make you do anything beyond your daily duties, you have to want to be more than "average" and there are many opportunities on the base and in the community to get involved. 

Each of us is accountable and responsible for every aspect of our lives. It's not something that we can take off and hang on the wall like our hats when we get off duty at the end of the day. As Airmen, we're accountable and responsible for our actions at all times.