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380AEW Article

380th Community Standards receives updates, revisions

  • Published
  • By 1st Lieutenant Michael Frye
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Chief of Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A little more than a year ago, the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's Community Standards were borne from the consolidation of dozens of wing policy letters addressing behavior, appearance, and privileges. 

According to Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Slater, 380th AEW Command Chief Master Sergeant, this single-source document and its easy accessibility immediately improved our Airmen's knowledge of leadership expectations. 

Recently, the 380th conducted a thorough review of its Community Standards, soliciting feedback from a wide range of members from the wing. Feedback was gathered from groups and squadrons, as well as the Airmen's Council, 5/6, Top 3, First Sergeant's Council, Chiefs' Group, and Company Grade Officer's Council. Over 40 pages of ideas were received. These were compiled and sorted to come up with the hot items to address. 

"Our goal was to ensure our Community Standards continued to meet our needs as we fly the tasking order every day, manage the transition during AEF rotations, and maintain good order and discipline, with each expectation written to be clearly understood and clearly explained," said Chief Slater. "General Polumbo and I have always told people we appreciate when they ask why or how come, because it forces us to explain why or how come we do what we do. If we can explain it, we've got a willing participant on board. If we can't explain it, then we take that as a clue to look at how that expectation is worded, or look at the expectation altogether." 

Chief Slater believes he would be hard pressed to come up with anything that was made more stringent. And adds that some things that were addressed may seem like small things, but these are the things that add up. 

Airmen now have the option of removing their blouse when driving between the phantom complex and the flightline. Physical Training gear pants are no longer required to drive to the flightline complex or the host nation sports complex. Although several responses regarded shirts being tucked in and the wear of sandals in civilian clothing, the standard couldn't be changed because this was set by U.S. Air Forces Central. 

"AFCENT sets certain standards, individual units cannot override those standards, but can add to those standards," said Chief Slater. 

According to the Chief, Airmen may be concerned about standing out in public because our shirts are tucked in. 

"It's also possible if we stand out in malls it's because we spend a lot of time there, maybe too much time, and maybe too often" said Chief Slater. "And when we go to the malls, we tend to go in large groups. Perhaps going with one or two people or changing when and how often we go to the malls would help us to stand out less." 

Additional rules addressed in the new Community Standards pertain to the headgear options available when wearing PT gear, saluting in PT gear, and the ability to now make morale calls from dorm rooms. Civilian clothes can also be worn while attending the birthday meal each month. 

"The bottom line is we've always worked hard to ensure there's a reason for every expectation, our Airmen are aware of every expectation, and the entire community abides by every expectation."