Does your AFSC/MOS need to cut back?

2014-12-11T15:18:48-05:00

I have now been enlisted for just over 7 years as an Aircrew Flight Equipment technician and am curious about cutting back on non-essential equipment. In my career field we have equipment that will not get used for a full year, come in for its inspection cycle and then be pushed back out to not be used for another year.

For this I wonder, why have this equipment and if any other careers see the same excess in their own career fields in regards to NEVER used equipment/assets.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 3:37 PM

2014-12-11T15:37:28-05:00

This isn't exactly the same, but it's one of the things that burns me the most about being in the service. Untold millions of dollars tied up in useless, outdated, or brand new unneeded equipment, and no money to fund schools and training. I'm sure there are reasons that make sense at some level above me, but to be told that there are NO school slots, while driving a brand new 10ton, rubs my fur the wrong way for sure. Brand new weapons, M-320s, M-240L, etc. In my opinion the Army would do well, to take the money they spend on buying new equipment, and spend it on training instead. I think it's harder for the bean counters to quantify training. It's easier to just buy crap.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 3:49 PM

2014-12-11T15:49:56-05:00

I think that there are all kinds of things that most AFSC's can cut back on. Let's look at deployment packages for instance. If you purchase something to be used during a deployment and don't deploy for the next year or two, by the time you use it, the warranty is expired and most likely the equipment is out of date and has been replaced by your resources manager! In my honest opinion, we should have a contract with a company that would procure our equipment and build packages based on a just in time basis. This would introduce new jobs in the community and offer space by reducing equipment in our already crowded equipment cages or rooms. This would also relieve us from having to maintain and account for all the equipment, allowing us to focus on training and the mission.