Implied in the idea that professionalism should increase with time in service is the idea that socialization is a process that goes through-out one's career. But saying that socialization is a career-long process does not exempt the Air Force from working to improve its socialization activities. More effort needs to be expended in formal educational activities so that officers better understand the professional prescriptions and proscriptions of officership. The lack of consensus among officers as to the meaning of professionalism, as revealed in the Bonen article, is a clear indication of a failure in socialization within the Air Force officer corps. An important part of the expanded socialization activities would be an emphasis on those aspects of officership that trancend occupational skill groups.
All officers share to some degree the risk of death in combat or combat support during time of war.
The legitimacy of one's wear of the Air Force uniform is based on the support one gives to the accomplishment of this basic mission. The heritage and traditions of the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force uniform itself. It is a symbol of acceptance into the professional officer corps. When an individual wears it, he says that he agrees to support and maintain the standards of the corps.