Posted on 11/28/2006 6:12:37 AM PST by pabianice
November 28, 2006: The U.S. Air Force is doing something really unusual, they are cutting back on the amenities that have long served to attract, and keep, the kind of skilled people they needed. It is feared that this move will have a serious negative effect on morale. However, the air force brass see this as the only alternative to something far worse; not enough new aircraft. Faced with huge costs for their new F-22 and F-35 warplanes, a Congress reluctant to be generous, and a war in Iraq and Afghanistan that is being largely fought by the army, the air force sees itself seriously short of cash in the next decade. The war in Iraq is taking money from the air force and diverting it to the army. Already underway is a downsizing that will eliminate 40,000 air force jobs over the next five years. But that will only save about $5 billion a year.
Cutting amenities is not something the air force even likes to talk about, but something official has to be said to explain the large number of fairly obvious changes coming. For decades, the air force has been the butt of jokes, for their more luxurious lifestyle, by sailors, soldiers and marines. Part of it was jealousy, and admiration for how the air force generals managed to get money for all those goodies out of Congress. Making fun of all those golf courses on air force bases was a particular favorite. Going into detail about the cutbacks would, simultaneously, make it known how extensive the amenities are, and elicit some bad publicity once people from the other services chimed in with snarky comments about how much better off the air force people are even after the cuts.
But the air force does have a real problem here, with the morale of their own troops. The 40,000 jobs being lost is causing some anxiety, as does the increased number of air force personnel being sent overseas to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. There are actually several thousand air force support troops, on the ground in Iraq, helping the army move supplies and maintain equipment. These guys and girls are actually in greater danger than the pilots flying the bombers overhead, but that's another story. Meanwhile, a lot of the cutbacks will come from consolidating functions (fewer gyms and dining halls on some bases), as well as cutting back hours and services at other facilities (libraries, rec centers and golf courses.) There might even be a few golf courses closed...
I have been there myself, and it is a lot more fun when the joke is on the other fellow.
Similar experience from the army side.
Tuy Hoa did have air conditioning in their theatre on the air base. Made for a good afternoon nap when one could get away.
Will show this to the old man. He will be surprised to know he was not "real military" while flying 200+ missions into route pack 6. The two purple hearts must be a fraud, as well.
So, that's the way it works? I guess my highly trained Navy buddies and I had it all wrong.
American pilots break ground and fly into the wind, French pilots...(Well, swap ground and wind)
You must have been in a different Air Force than me!
I entered service in Sept '59, got into the CommOps/Crypto (291xx) career field, and the joke was on me. The first E-5 promotion I witnessed happened in '64, and he was one of the squadron jock types. Typical time in service to E-5 in the 291 field was around 7 years, with many good guys taking much longer.
Admittedly, AF life for the enlisteds was much better than for other services. Quite a few, tho, thought promotion was better, and left. Around '65 as VN began heating up, the Army offered Warrant appointments for Comm/Comsec types, and I knew two AF E-5's that switched over. I tried myself, but was late to the party.
It wasn't until the early '70's after USAF promotions were based on testing that the promotion inequalities began to smooth out. Prior to that time, you never knew what criteria was used, how close one was to promotion, or where to improve.
All in all, tho, life was good! I did enjoy my air conditioned dorm, gourmet chow, golf courses, etc., and of course, the love and admiration of the ladies when I wore my USAF Blues!
(snerk)
Uhhh, sorry to remind you, but USAF protocol is to say please when giving orders, lol.
I believe it is about time.
Sense of entitlement should never outweigh sense of duty.
We need every one of those aircraft...Golf courses be damned !
I respect your old man........please show this to him, I am sure he will understand a little inter service rivalry...if you have not served, you do not understand..
Wife and I and our two kiddies flew space-a from Dover to Ramstein on a C-141, and got "stuck" in one of those. We shared the space with a two star and a 3-star!
Good trip!
Now for the PC Version.
Please drop and give me 20 if you're a male, or 10 girl push ups if you're a female, or use your "timeout card" for the day. You may use an exercise mat to keep from scuffing your shoes and you have the right to appeal this through the chain of command, Chaplin's office, IG, or your congressman. I'm sorry if I have offended you, please sign this release.
ping
Gotta call BS on ya there, pal. In my 22-year career, admittedly long since over, I saw ONE guy make E-6 on his first enlistment, and he was a Six-year enlistee who came in as E-3.
Somewhere around 8 to 10 years to E-6 would be considered good progression in todays USAF. First enlistment E-6? No way!
Will they still get substandard living pay?
I was in 22 years, too and have to back you up on this. The Air Force intentionally slowed down promotions in the mid 70's and it was extremely difficult to make E-5 on your first enlistment. The average time in service for an E-5 was between 5-7 years. E-6 was about 14 years, depending on your job. Once I got past E-6 I made rank pretty quick.
Lots of folks didn't understand why promotions were slow in USAF. Simple attrition, or lack of, was the cause. A guy entering after WWII and making E-9 in 13-14 years would probably stay for a full career and retire near 30 years. That blocked promotion for those below him, and rippled down through the ranks. It took AF planners a long time to get our rank structure un-stuck and in line with other services.
Well you were on a ship, no? Wouldn't it be cost prohibitive to make the facilities of a ship into what you could get at an airbase? Consider the logistics as well as the rationale.
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