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.