Accountability: responsibility to be responsible Published June 21, 2013 By Kimberly Goff 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Accountability is an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions. It is a recurring factor in the United States Military, given the range of jobs performed by its members. The consequences of one of those members failing to correctly perform their task could range from inconvenient to disastrous. The aspect of accountability is prominently displayed during Operation REAL, standing for respect, equality, accountability, and leadership, the operation consists of a base-wide stand down dedicated to ending sexual assault. Accountability is shown as more than a simple dictionary definition and instead it's defined by members of a military community through their own convictions. According to Maj. Robert Moore, 82nd Security Forces Squadron Commander, said accountability is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. "You need to do the right thing no matter what," Moore said. "It doesn't matter if you're a four-star general or an airman basic." Moore believes some people do not take accountability seriously; they act without regard for consequence while believing they will not get caught, and that they should start doing so. "People tend to take it for granted, but it's not about you." Moore said. "It's about the people who come before and after you," he said. Amanda Smail, 366th Training Squadron power production apprentice course instructor, said teachers and students are responsible for their actions. That teachers need to be able to properly teach their students so that they perform their job correctly while students need to be responsible for completing their assignments and studying about what their job is and how to do it. "People need to be accountable for what they do," she said. Airman 1st Class Devin Tillman, electrical power production student for 366th Training Squadron, also said accountability is important. "Accountability is making sure people understand what they are supposed to be doing so that they can be held accountable," Tillman said.