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

after being discharged from the army, I considered enlisting as a chaplain's assistant in the air force reserve. I thought it was a bit ironic that it is one of the few jobs that require proficiency with weapons, since they are tasked with the responsibility of force protection and physical security.

Well, the ARMY and MARINES can't always be around to defend air bases. So the Air Force personnel (aside from security police) have fill in. When I was in Germany, working Tactical Air Control, (mobile radar) . We had to defend our site with all the available bodies we had. Unfortunately we had some Rambo wannabes, who could shoot, recognize enemy targets or keep their mouths shut. Once in awhile we interacted with Germany Army troops to see how well we could do. 60-40 in favor of the Germanys.

Duh, I was on mobility for 14 years, served as a Law Enforcement officer for my first 3, and qualified with the K-38 Combat Masterpiece (S&W Model 15), the M-1 Carbine, the M-2 carbine, the crank bolt "sniper" rifle with the Unertl scope, the M-60, the CAR-15, and the M-16, and the combat shotgun. I even learned how to operate an M-1 Garand for ceremonial purposes (military honors at funerals). I carried a non-issued .45 during my Vietnam tour, and still carry a .45 as my EDC (every day carry). Even after moving on from Law Enforcement to Purchasing, I was still required to qual on the M-16 at least annually. Since every man in our unit, and woman too, was required to annually qualify with the M-16, I'm confused. Is USAF saving money on guns and ammo? When did this policy begin. I served from 1968 until 1989, and retired as an E-7.

If Air Force personnel are not intended to carry a weapon as the Army or Marines do daily, then why pray tell are Air Force personnel sent to combat zones in support roles? I've been assigned to Combat Out Posts and Afghan Brigade Command Posts where Air Force S2 personnel were in both TOCs and with handguns. Bottom-line, in my humble opinion, there are no "rear" areas in today's asymmetric battlefield so the Air Force needs to hone some battle skills for all its soldiers before it's to late.

As an x AP I was fully aware that we were the air base defense (abgd). As as ssgt security forces you should have been aware of that too.

Oh Boy! Showing my age! When I enlisted in 1960 we did have to qualify with the .30 carbine. Then when I was in OTS we had to qualify with a sidearm (.45 automatic and that damn snub-nosed .38). I agree with the Sgt. this is a vital skill for all AF personnel. The AF doesn't generally have to operate like the ground forces but then you never know when those skills are going to be necessary and that is not the time to learn which end the trigger is on.

Air Force required annual weapons training for those on mobility status. Sadly with the concern about spending and shortage of weapon instructors has had an effect.

When I enter the Air Force in 1961 I had to take training both with a 45 and M-1, later was trained on
AR 15 and 3 man team for the base security. This was my second AFSC. I continue this training every 6 months in various Base locations and overseas until 1975. Then once a year until I Retired in 81. So I believe it depended on the AFSC or you changed career field. Yes we had also lean to breakdown weapons and handle ammo cans.

Strange though, as Navy I qualified M16, M9, even M1 and .45. I was subs, a nuke electrician, but required to hit a barn door. I never was required to be an expert but proficient enough to put lead downrange. In the Bees of course we had to be a little more accurate but I always appreciated Jarhead bullet sponges because we were not ground pounders. Having worked as civilian on a space wing base I agree, keep weapons out of the airman's hands. And most of the security forces were worth squat anyway such as leave weapons in the head, forget their clip when going on watch, and have no idea how a metal detector worked. SF was the one's with the most drunk on duty charges, domestic abuse, and stealing. A couple of them were so professional they took dumps just about everywhere, offices, hallways, even the middle of the bathroom floor. Several females carried M4s but had no rounds because they couldn't qualify, they carried them so no one would know how sad AF security is. And they had four hours every week on the range under instruction. I am guessing the instructor was Security Forces. But I know the best and brightest didn't get duty on the Colorado prairie so maybe there are some security forces that don't aspire to reach Barney Fife level.

I just saw this post. Every member of every branch of the service should be proficient with every weapon they might encounter. Yes that will be a lot of additional training, but it would be well worth it. With proper training with all fire arms, the personnel will achieve additional self respect and the ability to defend and protect themselves and their fellow members regardless of where they are located. When I was in the Air Force and went through basic training, we learned how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble the original M16. We then were given 150 rounds to prove what we learned. My brother had gone through basic a few years earlier and told me if you didn't qualify you were given an additional 150 rounds for a second chance to qualify. If you qualified, you got to police up a field behind the firing line while those who didn't fired the second chance 150 rounds. I grew up in East Tennessee and Alabama. I started shooting at age 5 and was rabbit and squirrel hunting by age 7 with a single shot .22 bolt action rifle. I didn't think the two individuals on either side of me would qualify, so I put 50 rounds in each of their targets. I put the final 50 rounds very scattered on my target. Yes, I didn't have to police that field and I got to fire another 150 rounds which were all located in an approximately 8 inch circle. I have a tremendous respect for all firearms. I know how to properly handle any firearm handed to me. I am saddened that this is not true for the current members of the Air Force. They never will know where they might be stationed, and it just might be in a very hostile location. Trying to learn once there is a drastic mistake. It takes more than just one time with a weapon to insure some familiarization. It takes a whole lot of training to learn how to handle that same weapon with enough proficiency to save your life and anyone else with you.