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

I retired in 2012. Before that I was required to qualify once a year. When did that change? I was also part of a Red Horse squadron and was M-16 and 9 mil qualified.

I guess the Air Force has changed since I was in back in the 80's. Back then we were required to qualify with a .38 pistol and the M-16 rifle. We were also trained in Perimeter Defense. I was so proficient with the M-16 that I qualified as an expert, and while on duty in Turkey I had to re-qualify with the M-16 at a US Army shooting range and was awarded a Army Marksman Medal. Air Bases do come under attack from the ground and I feel all Air Force persons stationed overseas should be trained in defensive measures. Remember Da Nang!

You point out a very great reason for civilian firearm ownership (2nd amendment) witch would to some degree provide familiarity to people entering any branch of the military, i was lucky that I learned firearm responsibility from an early age and when I went to basic training was surprised at so many who had no clue with firearms.... I have always wondered if the no clue members were the first to take one because they really never learned.

I was qualified with M - 16 in Basic. When I arrived in Vietnam, I was issued an M - 2, without any info/training - not even a booklet. Yet, I can account for (fifty years later) every round I expended in country, in action.
My prior firearm experience was with a bolt action Winchester .22, and a BB gun.

Generally they are in the rear with the gear. If pilots need rifles to defend their planes they are already in a world of hurt Also it would be about the same as training all army line units to fly jets in support of grunts engaged needing close air support

USAF personnel were never expected to fight on the ground! We learn to march because it's an exercise in working as a team. Otherwise, it has no point. It's handy in getting people to buses or across base, but isn't used for much else. (Except drill teams, etc.)

How does one defend one's self if they're not??
Ron Bogard
U.S.Army ret

Security Police, now Security Forces are the protectors of Air Bases and Aircraft on each base. In my time in Security Police (1968 - 1972) we had to qualify on the M16, M1, 38 caliber pistol and the M12 Riot gun. I was assigned Law Enforcement duties for the 4 years and only was ever assigned the .38 Combat Masterpiece pistol. I believe we only requalified on an annual basis. We did have augmentees that were pulled from other career fields and they would have to qualify with the M16 or pistol as well. I retrained into the Aircraft Loadmaster career field and was assigned to C-130 aircraft. I was required to carry a snubnose 38 caliber pistol in a shoulder holster under my flight suit. Carried 3 bean bag rounds and 3 hollowpoint rounds. Only had 40 foot long cargo deck to defend. After 5 years on flight status and was reassigned to Recruiter duty for the last 15 years of my career and we no longer were required to qualify on any weapons. I agree with some of the other comments I read on this link, not everyone in uniform is prepared or capable of handling a weapon never mind being able to use one to put down an adversary.

I agree that Airmen need to be proficient with the weapon that they could be issued in an emergency.

When I was in basic training we had handgun and M16 training, but it wasn't comprehensive nor did we carry it further after basic. I'm proud to say I got my ribbon for accuracy, but I'd shot guns before. If a skirmish did break out you wouldn't really want to rely on AF personnel to take up arms. Many do know their way around guns though so if they had to they would.