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

I spent 20% of my USAF Career in both a Combat Communications Squadron and a Forward Air Control Flight (FACP). Qualified on a number of weapons to include M-16/A1, M-60, M-203, 9mm & .38. While the rank and file members had little exposure, we had plenty.

Not sure how this relates. Our Honor Guard recently recruited an AF vet. He didn’t know one thing about the manual of arms. Man was that a surprise.

Today was his first veterans funeral. He did fine. Fast learner.

Check out the original training for the original RED HORSE units prior to deployment to SE Asia. VIETNAM.

If you are in the Military and they train you to function in a Combat Crisis, you are possibly going to be in World of Confusion if the dung hits the fan. Get some personal training in firearms. Play war games on a computer. If you are being sent to a Country where your base might be attacked, plan on it. Air Bases of all branches are open to Commando type raids. You don't want to be in an active shooter or an enemy Come after you and all you can do is hide. have seen Marine Clerks check their equipment when they go on a break. Checking their equipment in case of attack. They had to be able to pack up and move out in 30 minutes, including file cabinets etc.
The Marines are a hard service. But they teach you," the more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in a War " SEMPER FI "!

There actually are two AF career fields I'm familiar with that do require further weapons familiarization and competency: tactical air controllers and weather. Virtually all TACP assignments are with the Army directing AF high flyers toward ground targets. AF weather provides all weather support for the Army. This includes assignments with both aviation and infantry units. This means not only being able to shoot but have the ability to prepare a defensive firing position, i.e., foxhole, read maps and tear down, move and reerect all of your scientific gear in the middle of the night when there is no light unless the moon is shining. Your point is well made and taken, however, by and large AF careers are meant to be performed hundreds to thousands of miles away from most ground fighting, the occasional terror attack or quick strike incursion/mortar attack aside. All of that being said, there are those in the rear echelons who do have a weapons aptitude and will gladly step into the line at the armory if needed.

Most other services don't consider the majority of the AF part of the military for obvious reasons like this.

Worked w/AF security "troops" before and was not impressed but maybe they've improved some (I hope)

When I deployed my troops to OIF and OEF, they were deployed with weapons and before deploying had to qualify with them. While in country, they carried them, slept with them, ate with them, etc. When I deployed for OEF, I deployed with a weapon which I had to qualify with and carry with me while deployed. I am retired Air National Guard.

Its the Commanding Officer's fault. I had thousands of aircraft and munitions maintenance people work for me over a 21 year career, and all of them were required to be M-16 qualified. We also trained in chem warfare suits monthly, and we trained buddy-care battlefield style. I realize I retired 20 years ago... has combat training left the Air Force?

In 1967 when I went to basic everyone received what I call an orientation on the M16. This included disassembly, cleaning, operation, and safe handling of the weapon. We then fired for qualification, and re-qualified annually for, I think, three more years when it was discontinued as a cost savings. Since I grew up hunting it was a piece of cake and qualified expert every time. The course of fire was bare bones, 10 rounds for practice and 60 to qualify at 100yds. When I got to Vietnam as an aircraft mechanic we received a pink card with a connex number on it where if needed we would present the card to be issued a rifle, but no ammo. We had an assigned gun position where we were to go and wait till someone came by and issued us two 20 round magazines. My immediate thought was, they want to get us killed, give me more ammo.

Not sure what the hell happened here, I was an Electronic Warfare Tech during my Air Force Days, and still had to qualify with a M-16. In fact i shot expert. This is a basic military skill that everyone should need to know. If you do not know how to use a rifle you have a glorified hammer. I really hope our standards have not slipped this bad