What must you uphold to maintain public trust according to the Code of Ethics?

To maintain public trust according to the Code of Ethics, upholding principles is crucial. Principles serve as foundational beliefs and values that guide behavior and decision-making within the Air Force. They shape how members of the service conduct themselves in their duties and interactions with the public and each other.

In the context of maintaining public trust, principles ensure that actions are morally and ethically sound, fostering confidence and respect from the community. When Air Force members demonstrate integrity, accountability, and commitment to core values, they strengthen the trust that the public places in them and the organization as a whole. Principles promote transparency and ethical conduct, which are fundamental in building and sustaining trust with the communities they serve.

The other choices, while important aspects of military conduct, do not directly address the foundational aspect of trust in the same way that principles do. Regulations, policies, and promises have their places in governance and operational guidelines, but they are not the core tenets that uphold the ethical framework necessary for maintaining public trust.