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

Depending on unit & base for active,reserve, and guard this is no longer the truth , as of Nov 2015 the Air force is starting to crack down and get more stricter on weapons qualifications especially if the unit happens to be a deploy able unit . The Air-guard unit I was with had given individuals three chances at weapons qualifications, and If you fail to qualify a third try around your career was at stake or on the chopping block depending AFSC. How do I know this? because it happen to me. I can't speak for all units, but weapons qualifications is starting to become just as important as PT fitness qualifications and its being added as a way for reduction in force to weed certain individuals who may not be a good fit within the Air force culture.

My suggestion is to anyone who failed weapons qualifications the first time, I would suggest going to a private range for practice while getting private instructions under a qualified instructor depending on the area of residence

This is no longer the truth as Nov 2015 The Air force is starting to crack down and get more stricter on weapons qualifications depending on unit and command. The Air-guard unit I was with had given individuals three chances at weapons qualifications and If you fail to qualify a third try around your career was at stake or on the chopping block depending AFSC. How do I know this because it happen to me. I can't speak for all units, but weapons qualifications is starting to become just as important as PT fitness qualifications and its being added as a way for reduction in force to weed certain individuals who may not be a good fit within the Air force culture.

My suggestion is to anyone who failed weapons qualifications the first time, I would suggest going to a private range for practice while getting private instructions under a qualified instructor depending on the area of residence

There's more to it then just packing heat. You need training, lots of it. A bunch of Airmen trying to do their daily tasks while humping a rifle, or even packing an M-9 on the hip would be very problematic. I had advocated that the Air Force should keep it's people better trained in the use of firearms with each duty section maintaining an armory. The problem here is funding. To do this, each section will have to have a secure locker with an individual able to issue out weapons. Then there's the requisite loading barrels and arm/disarm procedures. Then consider all these Airmen requiring training in small unit tactics, communication, movement, shoot-don't shoot, etc., with training drills. These are perishable skills. I prefer an avionics technician to concentrate on fixing airplanes.

The AF is 75% technician oriented and when it comes to being caught between a rock and a hard-place as it was back during Tet, it doesn't take long for the AF tech to catch on the metal end of the rifle points toward the evil-doers rolling over the parameter wire. Nope! the AF is not to be 100% PJ qual'ed and that AF program is way over-board in SEAL related training. Thanks for your concern and we will do better with the general AF population twd M-16 proficiency .

I don't know what's up with the new Air Force, but what I'v seen & heard they make me discussed. When I was in we all went thru rifle training & had to go through it every 6 - 12 months. I even have a ribbon for small arms excellence & proud to say I keep up on my hand gun & rifle skills. Even have taught myself to shoot left-handed as well. I honestly don't know where the Air Force is heading, but it doesn't sound or look good. Sgt. E-4 USAF 31st FMS

Having been deployed twice as an Army asset, even though I was Air Force, I agree that all members should at least be proficient with at least one of the weapons listed. During my 1st deployment I spent a few days at COP Keating and knowing how to use your own weapon as well as others if needed was vitally important. The following year the COP was overrun. During my 2nd deployment our FOB was hit daily, like clock work. I was glad I knew how to handle and take care of both my weapons. It'seems an important thing that all military members should at least have a basic knowledge of.

That's an age old problem. It wasn't that much of a problem during the 24 years I served because we weren't deploying to combat theaters all the time. I served 24 years, 11 years enlisted in Telecommunications. I qualified on the M-16 in basic and then qualified again when deploying to Okinawa. I never touched a weapon after that until I qualified again in OTS. I got in a lot of range time and experience cleaning weapons as an SP and carried a 16 for two years working missile security.

If I were still in, even in Telecommunications I would want as much range time as I could get especially if deploying to a combat theater.

What's my personal weapon now? It's this GAU. And yes I can easily strip it and clean it.

I was in the Air Force from 1966 to 1970. When I went in, I did think we would get more training in weapons and hand-to-hand combat. We had one day at the range after classroom on the M-16. Though I did obtain the Expert Marksman ribbon, that may have been dumb luck. We had no hand-to-hand combat training. When I was in we had the shortened basic due to Vietnam but I think that was a mistake. I agree with you completely that the Air Force should do a lot more to make every Airman capable of properly using rifles, handguns and hand-to-hand fighting.

If a Airman can't take care of a weapon and what's required to care of it and use it, that's a sign of a shitty instructor... Maybe YOU The Air Force CATM instructor needs to look in the mirror.

I am fully capable of accurately firing my assigned weapon, plus I fire my privately owned weapons to maintain/improve my efficiency. However, if things ever get so bad that an O4 supply officer is having to pick up a rifle and fight off the mongol hordes, you are already having a very bad day and the best option is to find the nearest operational vehicle and GTFO. just sayin.....