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

I was Air Force during Vietnam. I had to qualify with an M-16, PT, Combat Training. Why in the world would not every branch of the service have to do this?

I achieved expert marksman status in the Air Force during basic training in 1950. I was not aware this training was stopped.

There are many ways to fight

I think you are full of shit, you haven't been around very long or read your History. My career field AFSC 605/2T2 was trained in all weapons, tactics: from shotgun driver, SOS, CCT or whatever unit, you happened to be assigned to. Yes, I came in 1983-2004, ever hear of Airfield Defense School? We were the guys that put you on the plane, either at the DACG or Pax Terminal, and when we were fired upon, and no one was around, we guarded the airfield when no AS/AP/SP/SF were available, we did our own. The big Boy Scouts (Army) taught us how to fire those nice big toys, Rock On 1/506!
Anyway, shut your mouth until you get some experience. Another thing, where is the common sense? Do not fucking get me started.

If you wanted to be in the military, you shouldn't have joined the Air Force...

Combat Comm, Red Horse, Forward Air Control, Special Operations Airmen all train with their weapons and are tasked with their own defense and combat operations because they operate outside the big protected Air Bases. Because everyone only sees airplanes they forget the handful of Air Force personnel on the ground in the combat zones.

When I was in the Air Force, we did have augmentees who filled in in emergency situations. They were not well trained and where just an extra body to fill emergency positions. Everyone should at least be trained in basic weapons use.

Don't know about now, but back in '61 we had weapons training then. Granted, it was with the M 1 carbine, but that was typically the weapon issued to behind the lines troops.

I was in the Air Force during Vietnam. Not only did we receive training with the M-2 and the M-16, I made expert with the M-16 and was highly proficient with a .38 caliber Sub Nose. Every crew member on a B-52 had a .38 with him and knew how to use it. In basic we even saw some training with a 50 caliber machine gun. What has changed?

Absolutely true war story: OIF, 2003 - I was the Logistics Officer for Marine Air Control Group 38, stationed at Al Jabber Air Base in Kuwait. As the offensive was winding down, USAF units stationed there began moving forward to Talil in Iraq. Shortly after this began, I received a call from the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Logistics Operations Officer, asking if any of our units had any "extra machine guns". Since we had exactly what we rated, I laughed "No! Who the hell thinks we might have 'extra'?" He replied that the USAF wants to arm their convoys, and since they don't have any weapons...not even rifles...(except for the Security Forces stationed there), that they were asking around. IDK if they ever got any machine guns.

Flash forward to 2010 at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. I saw a USAF SSgt struggling with unloading his and showing clear before he went into the chow hall. He seemed to not have the first clue how to operate the pistol. Add to that the fact that he was trying to hold a water bottle at the same time, and I had to step in. He refused my help, and I moved on, hoping that any negligent discharge wouldn't wind up hurting someone.

A bit of a sad testimony when our members of our Armed Services don't know how to operate those arms.