TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- I recently participated in a commander’s conference at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command highlighting the theme of providing combat-ready Airmen.
Senior leadership emphasized prioritizing activities and resources toward producing Airmen who are skilled in their occupational crafts. It was refreshing and motivating to hear this core purpose acknowledged by command leadership, staff and functional managers. However, the priority to produce combat ready Airmen and provide warfighting capability is nothing new to the audience of field commanders. Ironically, the more guidance and policies units receive sometimes inhibits their ability to optimize combat capability.
Fortunately, this was recognized at the highest Air Force level, prompting initiatives to revitalize squadrons as the most important warfighting elements. Plans to eliminate or reduce additional duties and recall outdated Air Force Instructions will take time to permeate. While higher organizational levels re-focus on the most important aspects of warfighting, we must also critically evaluate ourselves at the unit and ensure we have our priorities straight.
Our professional reason for existing, job one, is to provide on-call combat power anywhere on the planet. All operations at our home station should, in theory, be in pursuit of that endeavor. It’s imperative that the warfighters resist distraction from job one, even when policies and ancillary programs threaten to pull us in other directions.
We must be conscious of lapses in pursuing our warfighting purpose and getting lost in home station activities as their own end. We train and prepare “here,” so we can decisively fight, “over there.”
For Airmen in skill-level upgrade training, seize every opportunity. If you’re not getting the necessary training, raise the flag. Make no mistake: Commanders, supervisors and trainers owe you quality on-the-job training.
For those fully trained, continue to hone your skills, increase proficiency in your craft and train others. The Air Force provides opportunities for promotion, but our most important job is the job we have right now. Growing the next generation of leaders is a critical process in the profession of arms.
Beware the allure of “careerism,” or the decision to “be somebody” or “do something,” as described by John Boyd, one of the most influential thinkers in military airpower history. We are well-served to critically assess individual career aspirations against our obligation to defend the nation against those seeking to harm us. Despite being renowned for his contributions to warfare, Boyd famously resisted careerism and the status quo, retiring as a colonel while many of his peers advanced through the general officer ranks.
In the end, Colonel Boyd’s staunch commitment to expertise in his warfighting craft changed the Air Force, making him more noteworthy than most, if not all, of those who surpassed him in rank.
I’m proud to be among you in raising our right hand and vowing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Thanks for your commitment to what you do!
Date Taken: | 07.05.2017 |
Date Posted: | 08.07.2017 20:26 |
Story ID: | 241938 |
Location: | TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OK, US |
Web Views: | 12 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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