Air Force motto: Warren contributes to possibilities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  Air Force officials met Aug. 2 to discuss the possibility of creating an official motto that encompasses and reflects the cultural identity and is adaptable to the changing missions.

Earlier this year, in order to create some possible mottoes, Dr. Steve Everett, Secritary of the Air Force, Public Affairs division, held two focus groups here to discuss the culture of Warren and the mission.

"I found the focus group experience to be very interesting," said Staff Sgt. Patricia VanBeek, the 90th Missile Wing command chief executive assistant. "There were individuals from various career fields and of various ranks - officer and enlisted - who viewed the discussed topics from different angles. All of the opinions given were very interesting."

Gen. Carrol H. "Howie " Chandler, the Air Force vice Chief of Staff, said the intent of coming up with a motto is to create a phrase that captures the spirit of the AF and not only should it be inspirational but it should serve as an enduring rallying cry for Airmen, from Airmen.

"The information they received from our sessions will certainly be useful to them in developing a motto," Sergeant VanBeek said. "I think our base is unique, and the fact they are polling a multitude of bases is great, because it will help them develop a well-rounded AF motto."

After the research team has finished gathering data from the various bases, all the data will be compiled and will yield a list of 10 possible mottoes which will be tested in a survey sent throughout the AF. During the next Corona meeting, the three final selections will be presented to AF leaders for their consideration.

Lieutenant Col. Clark Groves, the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs chief of opinion research and media assessment, has made the distinction between recruiting slogans and an official motto.

"People may recall slogans such as 'Aim High,' 'No one Comes Close' and 'Cross Into the Blue' seen in ad campaigns supporting recruiting efforts, Colonel Groves said. "The Air Force motto, in contrast, is focused on building esprit-de-corps, and is meant to endure to future generations of Airmen."

An example of a strong and enduring expression of military identity is the Marine's motto of "Semper Fi." Air Force officials are looking at that motto as a basis for creating the AF motto.

Following the next Corona meeting, the final motto will be published.