Self-Worth and Growth Beyond the Uniform: An Appreciative Inquiry on Career Development in the Philippine Air Force

Abstract

This qualitative study focused on how Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel perceive their careers, strengths, core values, the future of the PAF, and life after service through the use of a strengths based, Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach. The objectives were to determine what personnel love most about being in the PAF, the talents and skills they are grateful for and apply on a daily basis, the core values they most esteem and how they put them into daily practice, visions of best future they wish for the PAF, and the kind of life they desire when they retire. An AI framed open ended questionnaire was administered to 46 randomly selected officers and enlisted personnel and responses were analyzed thematically.
For what personnel love most about being in the PAF, themes of service to country and people, professional identity and pride, organizational values and culture, career growth, stability and material benefits, and the quality of the work environment and family related aspects were highlighted. Valued talents and skills acquired in the PAF were surfaced around leadership and decision making, discipline and self-management, communication and interpersonal competence, technical and professional skills, and critical, values-based application of abilities. Integrity is considered the most highly esteemed core value. Future visions of the PAF emphasized on modernization and improved air assets, professional and well-developed personnel, enhanced operational capability and credible defense, and a reliable, focused governance. While retirement desire among PAF personnel centered on simple, peaceful family-oriented lives supported by financial stability, modest entrepreneurship, faith and values centered living and, rural or nature-based settings.
Overall, the findings portray PAF service as a value driven, strengths building vocation that personnel hope to carry into post service life. The study illustrates the usefulness of integrating AI approach guided through theoretical framing such as strengths-based career development and Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) in a military context and points to practical directions for strengths focused career, leadership, modernization and transition programs that align institutional mandates with the long-term flourishing of those who serve.