Why don't all members of the Air Force have to be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events?

Today Airmen are taught the M-16 from early on in Basic They now carry an M-16 dummy weapon from I believe the first Week Of Training to the 6th WOT. They are now also deployed to "The Field" during warrior week where they learn Air Base defense chemical warfare and self aid buddy care. Things have changed a lot for AF trainees since I was an MTI. I agree with the intent of the post because when I deployed to Somalia in 92 we had Airmen that were clueless abut their weapons and how to set up a tent etc. The main drawback to this training is the actual experience of deployment. If an Airman serves several years without deploying he/she loses the skills taught in Basic.

I totally agree. I was in a Combat Crew career field. I was a member of a mobile RADAR team who would set up near the FEBA. Our RADAR was a big target and we knew it. We trained often on many weapons and knew we became 11B's (Infantry) when the RADAR was gone. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!

OK h where are you going to find the training days to prepare fore something that last happened half a cetera ago? Since seduces are dammed full now what skills are you going to drop off the schedule? The likelihood of an AB being over until is too low to give up other mission capabilities to prepare for.

I'm comm and every time I do CATM or when I was in Korea and we did exercises I couldn't help but think how screwed I would be with other people from my unit. I guess from growing up in the Midwest and the fact that my dad took me shooting I knew how to hold a weapon. I've had to as a brand new airman help some senior NCOs put their bolt carrier group back in the right way, or clear a jam, and it really doesn't inspire much confidence. Also, when we had exercises and the SF airmen had all the blanks in the world and they wanted us to yell bang bang it turned into a joke. I wish the AF would change how they do it but I know with today's budget it won't.

if the army , or marines need insurtion or evacuation, they hop on an aircraft, and "ditty maw" to get that aircraft airborn, somehow, the whole airbase ,is involved, all the grunts need to do is " have our 6. keep them off us, we'll get you outta here if need be. if you can't shoot a gun, you can't shoot a gun. air police esspecially, are wannabe warriors, from their world of warcraft video games. very capible of standing in front of cars. but if the base needs defending, we always had the army on speed dial. former c-130 crew chief 1971-1975

I'm just gonna leave this here... there will always be someone that doesn't know how to use a rifle, its sad, but true regardless of branch. (watch until about 1:30, rest is commentary)

Your question is incorrectly asked. All USAF personnel are trained/qualified on the M-16/M-4. Select personnel are trained on M-9 based on Carrerfeild, Duty position, or Special Duty assignment.

Your question should be, "Why aren't USAF personnel proficient on their primary duty weapon?"

The answer is simply mission requirements. The Air Force by design is not a forward fighting force. Air Force deploys to a secure location then generates alert aircraft flying force.

If you ever get a chance read your bases OPLAN requirements. It will answer a lot of your questions.

(Yes...carrerfield is misspelled, but I'm not re-typing half this post to correct it.)

Every member I new had train and qualify every year

I agree with you. I was in communications during my years of service. I was told to be sure to destroy the comm gear if we got overrun. WTF give me an M16 so I can defend my post and myself while destroying the gear. Anyway, government is to cheap to give ammo to the AF. My kid deployes to the big sand box tomorrow. He was allowed to fire the M4 for 40 rounds. That was the extent of his training.

These are the Instructions for AF weapons qualification and Arming Categories. Category A is Pararescue, SF, Combat Weather, TacP, Red Horse, etc,. Category B is everyone else that fills a deployment billet, they receive weapons training before deploying. The AF does not have the CATM personnel or training ammunition budget to qualify every Wrench Turner, Personnel or Services troop annually.

Additionally based on my experiences during the First Gulf War its not that safe giving everyone in the Air Force or the Army a damn rifle, we took them away from the tourists about a month in, the Army just never gave their admin and mechanics bullets and they still almost blew up the entire base.

"2.4. Weapons Training Requirements. AFI 36-2226, Combat Arms Program, contains specific training requirements for each arming group, personnel selected for overseas assignments, and personnel assigned to fill a unit type code (UTC) where qualification with duty
weapons must be met prior to authorizing personnel to bear firearms. AFCFMs may impose additional firearms proficiency or sustainment training policies once personnel are weapons qualified in accordance with AFI 36-2226. Only personnel task-certified through combat arms sections are authorized to conduct live-fire proficiency/sustainment training; refer to AFI 36-2226 for proficiency training requirements. Unit commanders must ensure the following training is completed.

2.4.1. Qualification Training Frequencies. Generally, Group A personnel with an arming requirement must complete weapons qualification annually and Group B personnel tasked to deploy complete weapons qualification during pre-deployment Just-in-Time training.
Specific weapons qualification training requirements and frequencies are directed by AFI 36-2226.

2.4.2. Overseas Assignments. Before being stationed overseas, personnel identified by personnel processing code (PPC) must receive small arms weapons training IAW AFI 36-2226 and use of force training IAW section 2.5. of this instruction.

2.4.3. Mobility Forces. All personnel assigned to fill a UTC receive small arms and use of force training as prescribed for their respective qualification group.