***image1***As we all know, the Air Force is going through a force shaping that’s mandated by law. The law requires us to reduce personnel manning numbers. When it’s all said and done, by stopping accessions and limiting the number of new recruits, Air Force manning will be reduced by more than 22,000 people.
Without fresh recruits coming from basic training, tasks traditionally performed by airmen basics are now resting on the shoulders of our airmen first class and senior airmen creating a ripple effect into the Noncommissioned Officer tier. This effect will dissipate over time as we put this brief recruiting freeze behind us, but will challenge us all in the short term – particularly our mid-level NCOs.
Today’s NCOs are at the core of everything we do; making the Air Force “go,” day in and day out. Our staff and technical sergeants represent the bulk of the enlisted force structure, performing above expectation almost routinely in positions above them. They are filling key leadership billets previously only filled by Senior NCOs, and still they’re the ultimate technicians. They perform highly complex technical duties, while at the same time supervising and mentoring the next generation behind them.
Force shaping calls for leadership by example, something our current crop of mid-level NCOs do best. They understand the roles and responsibilities that define them must be as flexible as possible. Through this flexibility, they can stretch beyond their normal limits and meet the next task on the horizon head on.
This temporary recruitment freeze will bring challenges of its own, even as it helps us shape a more efficient force structure. Whatever challenges it brings, I know our NCO corps is up to the task, because it has been tested time and time again and has never failed to perform. Using leadership and dedication, today’s NCO continues to lead the way.
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***image1***As we all know, the Air Force is going through a force shaping that’s mandated by law. The law requires us to reduce personnel manning numbers. When it’s all said and done, by stopping accessions and limiting the number of new recruits, Air Force manning will be reduced by more than 22,000 people.
Without fresh recruits coming from basic training, tasks traditionally performed by airmen basics are now resting on the shoulders of our airmen first class and senior airmen creating a ripple effect into the Noncommissioned Officer tier. This effect will dissipate over time as we put this brief recruiting freeze behind us, but will challenge us all in the short term – particularly our mid-level NCOs.
Today’s NCOs are at the core of everything we do; making the Air Force “go,” day in and day out. Our staff and technical sergeants represent the bulk of the enlisted force structure, performing above expectation almost routinely in positions above them. They are filling key leadership billets previously only filled by Senior NCOs, and still they’re the ultimate technicians. They perform highly complex technical duties, while at the same time supervising and mentoring the next generation behind them.
Force shaping calls for leadership by example, something our current crop of mid-level NCOs do best. They understand the roles and responsibilities that define them must be as flexible as possible. Through this flexibility, they can stretch beyond their normal limits and meet the next task on the horizon head on.
This temporary recruitment freeze will bring challenges of its own, even as it helps us shape a more efficient force structure. Whatever challenges it brings, I know our NCO corps is up to the task, because it has been tested time and time again and has never failed to perform. Using leadership and dedication, today’s NCO continues to lead the way.