Posted on 09/18/2004 7:19:39 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
Leadership, Compelling Mission Keep Air Force Strength HighBy Donna Miles WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2004 -- Air Force leadership is struggling with a problem as the service celebrates its 57th birthday Sept. 18. The Air Force has 20,000 more people than it's authorized. And as the service works to pare its numbers by 16,000 by the end of fiscal 2005, airmen and would-be airmen are standing in line to re-enlist or enlist. "It's a fascinating problem for us," Air Force Secretary James G. Roche said during a joint interview with the Pentagon Channel and the American Forces Press Service. "Where people might think that because we are at war, we might be having difficulty with recruiting and retention, we have the opposite problem." Roche said he and other Air Force leaders "have to pinch ourselves" as they acknowledge the service's attraction to current and would-be airmen. "Our airmen are staying more than they have in the past, pilots are returning, and our recruiting numbers are so high that we are having to throttle it back in terms of not allowing as many to come on active duty," he said. New recruits are increasingly being channeled into "stressed" career fields, those high-demand specialties that need more manpower, Roche said.
The Air Force's numbers problem boils down to the fact that the service has strong leaders who create a situation in which "airmen don't want to leave," the secretary said. "I'm dealing with a problem, but I keep laughing because I am terribly proud of our airmen and the leadership of our first sergeants and our sergeants and our chiefs and our officers." Compounding the situation, he said, is a strong emphasis on quality of life for airmen and their families -- from improved housing, to higher pay, to better education and family-support programs. But Roche said he believes one of the most compelling reasons for joining and staying in the Air Force is the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the war on terror. "One of the greatest motivating things for human beings is to recognize that others depend on him or her and that he or she is terribly, terribly important," Roche said. He said deploying to forward positions in the terror war -- something more airmen are doing in the Air Expeditionary Force -- drives home the point that "they are doing something very special for their country." Airmen "feel very good about that -- and they should," Roche said. "It makes them walk a little taller wherever they are." Biography:
|
Chairman's Birthday Message to the U.S. Air ForceSpecial to American Forces Press Service On the 18th of September, 1947, our Nation created the United States Air Force. Over the last 57 years, the Air Force has changed dramatically, employing new technology and responding to a changing world. Today, we plan and fight as a Joint and Total Force, and the US Air Force is performing all of its missions superbly, from patrolling the skies of America, airlifting supplies to Afghanistan and fighting in Iraq. The War on Terrorism is a war we must win, to preserve our freedoms and protect our way of life. The U.S. Air Force has a crucial role in this war, accomplishing vital expeditionary and long range combat missions, along with dozens of other missions critical to our national security: flying satellites, controlling airfields, maintaining our ballistic missile fleet, training technicians and leaders, and many more. Preserving our liberties takes determination, hard work and talent. The task is huge, but I stand completely confident that America's Airmen are up to the challenge. Today's Air Force inherits a tremendous legacy: a century of flight and a history of boundless accomplishments. That legacy is in very good hands. On behalf of the Joint Chiefs, to all the men and women in the United States Air Force who serve, and have served, I thank you. Happy Birthday, U.S. Air Force! Sincerely, Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF |
.....as the service works to pare its numbers by 16,000 by the end of fiscal 2005, airmen and would-be airmen are standing in line to re-enlist or enlist.
The Air Force's numbers problem boils down to the fact that the service has strong leaders who create a situation in which "airmen don't want to leave," the secretary said.
"I'm dealing with a problem, but I keep laughing because I am terribly proud of our airmen and the leadership of our first sergeants and our sergeants and our chiefs and our officers."
Hey General. Want to reduce your force size, pass the AC130 and A10 aircraft to the Army. Let the Air Force focus on what it enjoys most, high tech high speed aircraft, and would give the Army what they enjoy, systems that blow things up. Sounds like a win-win.
Bump!
Good try - but there is no way we're going to give up these capabilities.
You might not believe it, but I know a lot more people in pilot/nav training who want to be in these two aircraft than in the F-15C or F-22.
That's because blowing stuff up is COOL.
Bump and Happy Birthday!
I keep wondering where the Old Media keep getting the story wrong about the recruitment and morale issues.
Oh, yeah ... I forget ::: they're FRAUDcasters.
Thank you for continuing to bring us the truth, RCGirl.
Probably because they're looking at the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, where morale and reenlistment rates, especially of the most useful sorts of people, are relatively low. I guess the Air Force and the Coast Guard are the place to be.
That's interesting. I'm not familiar with Air Force culture but always thought they liked the supersonic stuff.
One thing I worry about is that there is an intention to use the JSF in a ground support role.
Happy Birthday USAF ~ Bump!
I agree with you about using bombers in many cases. One of the coolest things I saw during the Afganistan war was B-52s flying what amounted to CAP. Sitting up there for hours and dropping munitions as needed.
The AC-130/A-10s are better suited against mobile targets.
Happy Birthday USAF!
57 now. Where do the years go?
Who needs a tube when you have a radio?
Hoo-ah
I just heard on the radio that Navy re-enlistments are very good. It seems that RCGirl has posted some encouraging items about Army re-upping, but I can't recall exactly what those said.
It seems to me that the FRAUDcasters are probably at it again.
/
What a transition.
The B58 was one beautiful plane.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.