Study guide
2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues
Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination
Track your progress as you read
Finished sections get a check mark.
1 Introduction & Exam Overview
1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy
2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)
2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed
3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)
3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure
4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)
4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework
5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)
5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs
6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)
6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations
7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)
7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection
8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)
8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs
9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)
9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment
10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)
10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving
11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)
11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence
12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)
12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate
13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)
13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging
14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)
14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions
15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)
15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management
16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)
16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism
17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)
17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct
18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)
18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior
19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)
19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience
20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)
20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage
21 SJT Format & Competencies
21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors
22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps
22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices
2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The three Air Force core values are Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do — AFH 1 calls them universal, consistent standards used to evaluate the ethical climate of all USAF organizations.
Each core value has exactly three virtues: Integrity First — honesty, courage, accountability; Service Before Self — duty, loyalty, respect; Excellence In All We Do — mission, discipline, teamwork.
Section 1C is the only section in AFH 1 rated comprehension level C (Applying) for SSgt through CMSgt, so expect scenario items, not just recall items.
AFH 1 defines courage as 'not the absence of fear but doing the right thing despite fear,' and integrity as doing the right thing whether or not anyone is watching.
Loyalty is ordered: to the nation first, to the values and commitments of the USAF second, and to the men and women with whom we serve third.
Last updated: August 2026
Why Section 1C Is the Highest-Value Page in AFH 1
The Airman Development and Testing Chart (ADTC) assigns every AFH 1 section a required comprehension level per grade. Almost every tested section sits at B (Understanding) for SSgt and TSgt. Section 1C — Air Force Core Values — is level C (Applying) for SSgt, TSgt, MSgt, SMSgt, and CMSgt alike. It is the only section in the handbook rated that high at every grade.
Practically, that means core-values items are not limited to "name the third core value." Expect short scenarios where you must decide which value or virtue governs a situation.
- The Three Core Values
- Integrity First · Service Before Self · Excellence In All We Do
AFH 1 describes core values as "universal, consistent standards used to evaluate the ethical climate of all USAF organizations" and, in wartime language, as "the beacons that light the path of professional conduct and the highest ideals." The handbook stresses that core values "define our very identity through a common bond among all professional Airmen — past and present."
The order is fixed and testable. Integrity First is first because AFH 1 calls integrity "the bedrock for our military endeavors" and "the foundation upon which trust, and respect are built."
The Nine Virtues
AFH 1 defines each core value by three virtues — "desired behaviors and characteristics." Nine total. Get these into a 3×3 grid and the majority of Chapter 1 items become free points.
- Core Value Virtue 1 Virtue 2 Virtue 3
- Integrity First Honesty Courage Accountability
- Service Before Self Duty Loyalty Respect
- Excellence In All We Do Mission Discipline Teamwork
A very common distractor swaps a virtue across rows — for example, offering "accountability" under Service Before Self, or "respect" under Integrity First. Both words genuinely appear elsewhere in Chapter 1 (respect is called the root of professionalism in 1A), which is what makes the swap convincing.
Integrity First — Honesty, Courage, Accountability
Honesty is "the hallmark of integrity." As public servants, Airmen are trusted agents ; honesty requires evaluating performance against standards and conscientiously and accurately reporting findings. "Our word must be unquestionable."
Courage is "not the absence of fear but doing the right thing despite fear." It empowers Airmen to take necessary personal or professional risks, make unpopular decisions, and admit mistakes .
Accountability "instills our responsibility while maintaining transparency and ownership for our actions." Accountable individuals maintain transparency, seek honest and constructive feedback , and take ownership of outcomes.
AFH 1's working definition of integrity itself: "doing the right thing, all the time, whether everyone is watching, or no one is watching." An individual realizes integrity "when thoughts and actions align with what he or she knows to be right."
Chapter 1 also carries a quotation from CMSAF JoAnne S. Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force : "The foundation of our Profession of Arms is, and has always been, respect." Note the attribution carefully — Bass is the 19th CMSAF; the handbook's foreword is signed by CMSAF David A. Flosi , the 20th.
Service Before Self — Duty, Loyalty, Respect
AFH 1 defines Service Before Self as "an abiding dedication to the age-old military virtue of selfless dedication to duty, including putting one's life at risk if called to do so," and reduces it to a rule: "professional duties take precedence over personal desires."
Duty is "the obligation to perform what is required for the mission." Responsibilities are determined by law, DoD, and Air Force instructions, but the sense of duty is personal and bound by the oath.
Loyalty is "an internal commitment to the success and preservation of something bigger than ourselves," and AFH 1 orders it: nation first, the values and commitments of our USAF second, and the men and women with whom we serve third. Loyalty requires trusting, following, and executing leaders' decisions even when we disagree , while offering alternatives "most effectively through the chain of command."
Respect encompasses self-respect, mutual respect, and organizational respect .
The ordering of loyalty is a favorite item. If an option puts loyalty to your co-workers or your unit ahead of loyalty to the nation, it is wrong by AFH 1's own sequence.
Excellence In All We Do — Mission, Discipline, Teamwork
AFH 1 is careful here: Excellence "does not mean that we demand perfection in everything from everyone." It means Airmen "continuously advance our craft and increase our knowledge," seek developmental education, stay in "physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and moral shape," and sustain "a passion for deliberate continuous improvement and innovation."
Mission focus "encompasses operations and excellence in stewardship."
Discipline is "an individual commitment to uphold the highest of personal and professional standards," shown in attitude, work ethic, and effort.
Teamwork recognizes "the interdependency of every member's contribution": carry your own weight and, when necessary, help your wingmen carry theirs.
Applying the Values (Level C)
When an item forces a choice between values, use this precedence logic drawn from the chapter itself:
Integrity is non-negotiable. No mission benefit justifies a false report; honesty requires accurate reporting against standards.
Service Before Self resolves personal-versus-professional conflicts — but it never authorizes an integrity violation.
Excellence governs how the work gets done once the first two are satisfied — continuous improvement, stewardship, and team effort.
A scenario in which an Airman is tempted to sign off on an unfinished inspection to protect the unit's metrics is an integrity item, not a teamwork item, no matter how much the wording emphasizes the team.