2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

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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

2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

AFH 1 distinguishes law from ethics: law tells Airmen what they can and cannot do, ethics tells them what they should or should not do — following the law alone is not enough.

Title 5, CFR, Part 2635, Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, sets the baseline ethical rules, including the $10 nominal-value limit on gifts to superiors on occasions of special personal significance.

The three sources of an ethical dilemma named in AFH 1 are uncertainty, competing values, and potential harm.

Dr. Robert M. Hicks's three tests for checking the morality of a decision are the Network Test, the United States of America Test, and the Divine Test.

The Airman's Creed was presented to the Air Force in 2007 by General T. Michael Moseley, the 18th Air Force Chief of Staff, to build a warrior ethos and reinvigorate the Total Force.

Last updated: August 2026

Law Versus Ethics

AFH 1 opens Section 1D with a distinction the PFE tests directly:

"Although following the law is ethical, laws only tell us what we can and cannot do. Ethics, on the other hand, tells us what we should or shouldn't do."

The handbook adds the operative rule: "Airmen must follow the law, but simply doing so is not enough." Behavior and motives must not create even the appearance of impropriety . Note also the vocabulary split AFH 1 uses: moral values describe what we hold to be right and wrong; ethics is "the systematic reflection of these values enabling us to live and act according to our beliefs."

AFH 1 lists where the Air Force ethical code is prescribed. Memorize the set:

The core values
Our oaths
The Airman's Creed
Profession of Arms
DoD and USAF guidance
The Joint Ethics Regulation
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)

AFH 1 is also explicit that personal values such as happiness or stability "must not take precedence over USAF's ethical values."

Title 5, CFR, Part 2635

The governing federal rule is Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 2635, Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch . Learn the citation itself — items sometimes ask only for the source. AFH 1 lists representative expectations:

Principle What it prohibits or requires

Public service is a public trust Loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain

Conflicting financial interests Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with conscientious performance of duty

Gifts from prohibited sources No gift or item of monetary value from anyone seeking official action from, doing business with, or regulated by the agency

Unauthorized commitments No knowingly made unauthorized commitments or promises purporting to bind the government

Impartiality No preferential treatment to any non-Federal entity or individual
Federal property Protect and conserve it; do not use it for other than authorized activities
Just financial obligations Satisfy them in good faith, especially federal, state, or local taxes
The Gift Rules Between Ranks

Two related rules appear together and are easy to blur:

Employees may generally not accept gifts from subordinates or from employees who make less pay than themselves.

Employees may not solicit a donation for a gift to a superior, donate for a gift to a superior official, or accept a gift from subordinate personnel — except for voluntary gifts or contributions of nominal value not to exceed $10 , on occasions of special personal significance (marriage, birth of a child) or occasions that terminate the superior-subordinate relationship (retirement, PCS or reassignment).

The $10 figure and the two qualifying occasion types are exactly the kind of specific values the PFE keys on.

Anatomy of an Ethical Dilemma

AFH 1 defines an ethical dilemma as "a situation where one is forced to choose between at least two alternatives," and names three general causes or sources :

Uncertainty — not having all the facts, not having enough experience for the situation, or having no clearly established policy, procedure, or rule.

Competing values — personal values conflicting with those of the institution, subordinates, peers, or supervisors. AFH 1 says the mark of a true professional is maintaining high professional standards despite conflicting values by locating the conflict, weighing options, and deciding on the best course of action.

Potential harm — the intentional and unintentional short- and long-term consequences of our actions.

Airmen "should always think through second and third order effects " of their actions.

The Three Tests

AFH 1 credits Dr. Robert M. Hicks , former Deputy Director of the Civil Air Patrol, Chaplain Services, with three tests for checking the morality of an action or decision:

Test The question it asks

The Network Test "How would this decision look if it was aired on the news or social media?" Would you be proud or ashamed?

The United States of America Test "Is this decision good for the United States? For the USAF? For my unit? For me?" — in that priority order

The Divine Test "Would I feel good about the decision when I give account for my life?"

The ordering inside the USA test (nation → Air Force → unit → self) is itself testable and mirrors the ordering of loyalty in Section 1C.

Honorable Characteristics

AFH 1 names three honorable characteristics and defines each:

Valor — "the ability to face danger or hardship in a determined and resolute manner"; recognized as bravery, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, heart, and nerve.

Courage — the ability to face fear, danger, or adversity. AFH 1 names three types critical in the profession of arms : personal (doing what's right even when risking one's career), physical (overcoming fears of bodily harm), and moral (standing by the core values when it is not popular).

Sacrifice — "a willingness to give your time, comfort, or life to meet others' needs."

The three types of courage are a distinct list from the virtue of courage under Integrity First. An item that asks for "the three types of courage critical in the profession of arms" is keyed to personal, physical, and moral — not honesty, courage, and accountability.

The Airman's Creed

Section 1D closes with paragraph 1.5, The Airman's Creed , presented to the USAF in 2007 by General T. Michael Moseley, 18th Air Force Chief of Staff . AFH 1 states the intent: to enhance the building of a warrior ethos among Airmen and establish a coherent bond between members of the USAF, as part of Moseley's priority to reinvigorate the Total Force .

I am an American Airman. I am a Warrior. I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an American Airman. My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win. I am faithful to a Proud Heritage, A Tradition of Honor, And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman. Guardian of Freedom and Justice, My Nation's Sword and Shield, Its Sentry and Avenger. I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman. Wingman, Leader, Warrior. I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter, And I will not fail.

Learn the four stanza-opening roles — Warrior; Fly, Fight, and Win; Guardian of Freedom and Justice; Wingman, Leader, Warrior — and the year and attribution. Items commonly swap 2007 for 2008 or attribute the creed to Fogleman.