New, "softer" Air Force...any thoughts?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:07:11 -0500

"Hearts and minds" has been the statement that we have all heard in the past few years. I ,personally , do not agree with this new vision. I can not see how it will continue a legacy of being the greatest Air Force in the world. Does anyone else have light to shed on this subject?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 10 at 2014 9:21 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:21:36 -0500

<span style="color: rgb(21, 21, 21); font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">New, "softer" Air Force</span><div><span style="color: rgb(21, 21, 21); font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(21, 21, 21); font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(21, 21, 21); font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Redundant?</span></div>

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 8:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 20:04:26 -0500

It can get softer?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 8:12 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 20:12:16 -0500

SSgt Michael C.

Oh, come on guys, don't you believe that life in the Air Force is just like the Infantry? :)

n.b. Please, pretty please, no offense intended to our good friends in the Infantry !!! :)

Wait a minute, didn't I hear somewhere that the Air Force puts women in combat jobs?

Please don't get me wrong!!! I really do love our brothers and sisters in the Air Force !!!

But, as observed elsewhere, there is a perception USAF may prioritize comfort at home.

Could you please shed more light on precisely what you mean by a "softer" Air Force???

Perhaps you meant "kinder and gentler" in the sense of "carrying the biggest stick" ? :)

o http://nation.time.com/2012/02/01/air-force-meets-the-graduate-plastics/

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Air Force Meets `The Graduate’: “Plastics.” | TIME.com

Bombs hurt too much. That’s why the Air Force has just dropped a 500-pounder from a B-1 with a carbon fiber body – what you and I think of as plastic – instead of a metal case. It’s designed to destro...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 8:21 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 20:21:17 -0500

<P>The Army is always full of jokes.  I've spent enough time with your branch to realize that many soldiers love the suck.  They want it to suck so they can talk about how much it sucks and compare who had it suck more because they love it!</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Truth is though - ya'll are just jealous of the USAF!</P>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 8:30 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 20:30:32 -0500

It's a trend across the board and reflects a larger cultural shift in America. I got yelled at and occasionally threatened with sexual assault (it was actually kind of appropriate) in BCT. However, I have never seen someone taken out back to the wood line to be beaten to a pulp nor have I ever credibly heard of it happening. Much in the same way, Soldiers can run off and get married to an exotic dancer while drunk, if they so choose. It used to be that you required command's permission to get married. Heck, the standing militaries of old had you staying in the barracks even if you managed to get married somehow.

We can debate the merits of this shift all we want, but here's a stark reality: We draw our new Service Members from the same pool that is changing. We cannot create a military in which recruits cannot fit into because we completely alien to America. We must adapt and make the best of it for the sake of our mission.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 9:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 21:54:14 -0500

I am here at Lackland right now for a school and there is a definite lack of discipline that I did not see when I was at TRADOC. These trainees have no problem talking to any NCO like they were peers. Well the ones I have had the pleasure of talking to were fixed real fast.

I talked to my instructor and he told me his hands are tied and they can't do anything to them. I don't know how true that is but I think giving them a little more freedom would fix this real fast.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 10:08 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:08:07 -0500

...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 10:08 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:08:58 -0500

<br><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/images/twp-50x50.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR [login to see] 551.html">Soldier Earns Silver Star for Her Role in Defeating Ambush</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">World news headlines from the Washington Post, including international news and opinion from Africa, North/South America, Asia, Europe and Middle East. Features include world weather, news in Spanish,...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 10:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:11:01 -0500

Although I'm not Air Force - I have a younger brother who is SMSgt stationed in Japan. He also did about 3-4 years as a T.I at Lackland. He has mentioned that standards have dropped since his time as a T.I (and even through-out his tenure as a T.I). BUT - the same can be said for the Army. Things aren't like they were back in 92 when I came in. (Vietnam Vets, I'm sure…said the same thing about my generation).

On a side note: If could do it all over again…I would go Air Force. So - I'm not hating on the Air Force at all!

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 11 at 2014 10:39 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:39:51 -0500

You mean it can get softer...?!?!?! ;o)

Response by SGT Nathan Huff made Feb 11 at 2014 11:45 PM

SGT Nathan Huff — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 23:45:50 -0500

The Air-force got it good. As a soldier I know I was jelious of your housing and much more. The Gyms you all are to die for. I see no reason to complain about the softness of the airforce. Your branch though not front line in most things (minus those flying combat missions, forward observers, and recovery SF of the AF). Over all your set up is good. 

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2014 10:29 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:29:49 -0500

This discussion is begging for this:<br>

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2014 4:31 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 04:31:41 -0500

this Marine is lost for words

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 13 at 2014 4:01 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 16:01:26 -0500

I am prior active duty Army, Prior Army Guard, and now Air Force.....There are pros and cons with both branches. Army has tradition, history, and a bit more disipline. The Air Force has better family accomidations, nice bases, and less swamp land for training. There are days that I miss the Army....other days that I am REALLY glad that I am Air Force.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2014 5:00 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:00:01 -0500

how to be hard...<div><br></div><div>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol2nlBtBnZU<br></div><div><br></div><div>you need to not have nice things</div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/ol2nlBtBnZU/hqdefault.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol2nlBtBnZU">USMC America's Pit Bull</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Generation Kill America's Pit Bull</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2014 1:57 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:57:31 -0500

The Air Force can get.... "softer"? I know there are some branches within the Air Force that are hard core... flight crew member recovery teams... but after that... really? This is a real question?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2014 3:07 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 03:07:29 -0500

As mush as I hate to say this, we need more of an Army influence in our leadership. I am 7th generation military and all were Army. They all said join the Air Force. However, the military as a whole has became soft. I constantly think I was meant to be in the military from the 30's-70's. I wish I had joined the Marine Corps like I had originally planned.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Feb 21 at 2014 12:33 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 00:33:41 -0500

SSgt Carroll

My brother always said that the reason he joined the Air Force was so that he could get the benefits of being in the military without having to actually join the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 6:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 06:15:27 -0500

I never knew the AF to be hard...............LOL!!!!

Response by SSgt Jimmy Jackson made Aug 12 at 2017 6:08 PM

SSgt Jimmy Jackson — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:08:21 -0400

You guys are hilarious.....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 9:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:25:45 -0400

How much softer can the Air Force get? Will they require Airmen to be mandatory Lu La Roe and Mary Kay consultants?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2017 7:41 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 07:41:26 -0400

Why make something hard if it doesn't have to be? You're gonna have much happier people doing better work if you treat them better at home.

Not to mention, we're not a front line branch, save some exceptions. Even while I'm overseas flying combat missions, at the end of the day, I go back to a dorm with running water and electricity, sleep in a bed, and eat hot meals before going and doing it again.

There's no reason for the Air Force to be a 'hardcore' branch, when for the most part, we provide support.

Response by MSgt Terry Mahan made Aug 13 at 2017 1:18 PM

MSgt Terry Mahan — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 13:18:49 -0400

My response to an Army SIGINT friend, shenwas bad mouthing the Air Force, was that he chose to enlist ib the Army, no one forced him. We laughed and toasted the difference with a beer.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Aug 13 at 2017 5:59 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 17:59:02 -0400

I was active duty from 82-05. I saw first hand how the AF became a corporate entity instead of a branch of the military. I had more trouble justifying a 3 EPR I wrote on a problem child troop, than I ever did writing decoration citations. Pretty sad eh? If I had to trace it back to one leader who screwed the whole up more than anyone, it would have to during Merrill McPeak's tenure as the AF CoS. We had changes just for the sake of changing. I could write for hours about all the bullshit we had forced down our throats by that idiot.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 13 at 2017 7:57 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:57:22 -0400

Where on earth is all of this drivel coming from? A newer, kinder, softer Air Force? Try that back in WWII when bomber crews from the Eight Air Force in England were loading up for another bombing run over Germany and a 100 ship formation would lose more than three quarters of their aircraft in a single mission. That's 75 B-17's with 10 member crews or 750 airmen. Just how would they do this softer, kinder leadership on the morning of a bomb run? Nudge the officers and crewman, then softly say its time to get up you have to fly another mission please. Oh and say good bye to your squadron mates because 750 of them might either die or spend the rest of the war in a prison camp. Softer, Kinder Air Force is BS. We train to fight in a war. We must be ready to do whatever it takes to win. We can ill afford to be everyone's pal and try to persuade them to be a warrior.

Response by TSgt Charles Larkins made Aug 13 at 2017 9:17 PM

TSgt Charles Larkins — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 21:17:30 -0400

Military should be judged on its lethalit, not its kindness IMHO

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 1:03 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 01:03:20 -0400

It's okay, the Marine Corps has been steadily degrading to Air Force softness levels since Gen. Amos was commandant. I can only hope that with some guidance from St. Mattis, we'll be back on the rise.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Aug 16 at 2017 9:53 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:53:52 -0400

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Aug 16 at 2017 9:59 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:59:27 -0400

BWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA! *coff* HA

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Aug 16 at 2017 11:45 AM

SSgt Holden M. — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:45:36 -0400

I would have to agree with you. It was one of the reasons I decided not to re-enlist after 9 and 1/2 years. I tended to call it the wusification of the Air Force. At my last duty station I kept hearing people refer to it as the "corporate Air Force" and that frustrated me just as much I thought to myself but we aren't a corporation we are the military start acting like it. I came in when BDU's were still being issued and had to shine your boots and at my first duty station you got your @$$ chewed before you got paperwork and getting your @$$ chewed was much more effective then getting paperwork. Also when I failed my pt test for push ups when they changed how we did the PFT and went overly strict on the push ups my whole work area would stop every hour and do 20 or 30 push ups. When I got out it seemed like the only time we were one team one fight was when you were deployed. State side it was all about everybody covering their @$$ and nobody truly cared about each other.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2021 5:34 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 05:34:42 -0500

Don’t agree one bit. I’m hung up on the new hair standard. For ladies, hair below the collar just looks plain messy and in professional. Go back to the old way.