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

I understand the thought process but my thoughts about this skill are its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. If you get selected for deployment you have a 1-2 day training on that weapon system..... That being said would you put your life in that person hand WITH FULL CONFIDENCE OF THEIR SKILLS WITH THE WEAPON.

The Photo just has me cracking up.... Ok I'm Navy and at Boot camp we all qualified with the 9. My First command we had no need to qualify it was a cost and necessity not needed we fixed planes State Side and had the Corps and MA's Guarding the base. Then I went to Africa I had to be Qualified on several Weapons and platforms for that. My next 2 commands were all Intel weenies again No need for a weapon, Then I hit a Ship where I requalify on and got initial quals on other weapons. 3 years 2 Deployments where everyone is responsible for the safety of the ship. Now i'm at a base State side that I have no need to be weapons qualed. Why should the Military spend the money on Ammo when I have no need nor will I ever carry a weapon here? When I get to my next Ship I will requalify and be back to carrying a weapon on watch. I think there are those areas that we do not need to train waste money and qualify every year on a Weapon. They don't need it the chance of them needing it is so microscopic as to not matter. If a State side base is over run and they need to know how to shoot.... well we have larger issue at that point don't we?

Now I personal own a small arsenal of small arms and long guns, I go to the range and practice on a fairly regular basis. When my friends and I show up at the range we routinely get asked who we are about to invade lol. We all have CCW's and we all carry when not on Post. I take personal pride in exercising my 2A and in properly qualifying myself. But that's just me.

When I was in the USAF, all the new recruits had to do was to fire a few .22 LR rounds down range in boot camp, and that was the extent of their professional training with weapons for the majority of their military career. I was initially assigned to the 46th Communications Group at Barksdale AFB, LA, and volunteered to serve on our units "Contingency Group" for deployments, operations, and so on. It was only as part of this contingency group that I received additional training such as the use of actual .223/5.56 rounds, use of the shotgun, various revolvers, and various pistols and other weapons. The USAF at that time only trained these state-side groups (and certain overseas groups) in CBRN environments, protective clothing, how to pack and hump a ruck, and related tasks. I was utterly appalled at the attitude the USAF had at the time of the lack of common military skills. I was delighted to hear when the USAF was forced to enhance entry-level training in arms, and delighted that (20 years later) they adopted a more realistic view of tactical training. Prior to joining the USAF I was on civilian rifle and pistol teams, and I was an avid hunter so I was already skilled with infantry weapons of how to shoot a proper course of fire, range safety, and so on.

Using WWII and Korea as their model, many, if not most, people who enlisted in the AF did so with the idea that they would not have to carry/fire a weapon. Along with SF there are a few career fields where knowledge of weaponry is paramount. I'm thinking of TACP and weather folks who regularly pull duty with the Army, including being on the front line areas. Today's battlefield has changed, and it began changing with the Vietnam experience with mortars and rockets being lobbed into airfields. Having retired in 1995 I'm not sure what is taught as "supplementary" during weapons training, but certainly the idea of being somewhere in the sandbox of the Middle East and having to actually protect yourself and others has to be placed into the psyche of those who are doing annual qualification. The concept of situational awareness can b e as important as knowing how to use the weapon. Good luck to you and others as you deal with the "soccer mom kids" who make up today's AF.

Hear me out!

I noticed through the years how incompetent AF security forces were in programming a missile guidance set on a Minuteman ICBM. They were also pretty useless in troubleshooting a Launch Enable Control Group or AFSATCOM fault indication. Those ignorant SOBs were also with clueless with performing a Launch Control Test, reading MGS SAE control words, calibrating the guidance chiller, changing launch facility batteries and motor generators. Loading Command Data Buffer target sets were WAY out of their league as was changing DSAP solid core memory or “odd squad” SFT components.

Worthless, I tell ya, totally worthless! I find this totally outrageous! What are we paying those guys for?

One other thing, Sparky. I did qualify on the M16/A2, the S&W 38 Model 15, the Beretta M9, SA 1911 45 and the Winchester 12 gauge shotgun… and I was just a bit twiddlin’, spark chasin’, low life maintenance troop.

Why aren't Airmen required to learn to use a rifle? Let me ask a few questions. Which branch of the military sends officers into the battle area while leaving the enlisted behind enemy lines? What is the most important non-human asset in the Air Force? Why aren't Army soldiers required to learn to repair fixed wing aircraft?
Each branch has a specific function. Taking the time to train Air Force personnel how to shoot and maneuver would be an incredible waste of resources.

Just tell the bad guy's that their quarters is substandard and so the air force can compensate them, cause they too relax . 11BP....

Ok, here is my story. After entering Active Duty in '82 I was always on deployment with the exception of being an instructor at CAFB, SC (now Joint base Charleston). I started with the RDF (Rapid Deployment Force) and had to qualify annually, those non-deployment years were bi-annually. As an Avionics Specialist / Wrench turner we always told that we were the last line of defense of the Aircraft. We knew we were screwed if anyone got past the Army/Marines, SFS then to us....but we would and did deploy to places where there were no Army or marines, and sometimes no AF SFS people either. We would go in set up bases, then the others would show up later ...

My last deployment was right after 9/11/2001. I was handed an M-16, yes a 5 digit serial number slick side M-16. Complete with a bent and completely worthless gas tube, a split gas key, the butt pad falling off, and a 1:12 twist barrel. And guess what ammo we were issues, M855 green tip. The 1:12 twist was designed for the 55 gr M193... Luckily we never had to use them .... because those 62 gr bullets would start tumbling soon after leaving the barrel at that twist rate... but our SF people said it was completely Ok, what are you complaining about ....

I do think that ALL military, no matter who or what position should at least have a some basic knowledge of what end the bullet comes out of and at least be able to put lead down range.

I was MC in the AF. We had to qualify with handguns in case we had to defend overrun medical facilities. Never touched an M16 until I separated. Now I have an AR10. Guarantee you this Texas boy NEVER mid loaded a rifle in him s LIFE. Daddy wouldn't stand for it.