THE ENLISTED FORCE

Overview

• Enlisted Force Foundation• US Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution• World War II• The Career Force• CMSAF and SEAs• The Enlisted Force Structure• General Responsibilities• Enlisted Education

Enlisted Force Foundation

• Organization– Used Many Ranks From 1775– Adopted British Army & Navy Concepts with Minimal

Changes

• Professional Military Names– Names Use For Ranks Go Back Several Centuries

• Soldier: a person who serves in military for pay• Sergeant: comes from Latin word, serviens

• Insignia– First US Military Insignia Used During Revolutionary War– By Order of Then General George Washington

Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution

• Beginnings– Need to Bolster Military Aviation– Army Signal Corps

• WWI• WWII– Need for Technical Skills– Enlisted Pilot Program

The Career Force

• Changing American Society’s Perceptions• Internal Changes– Doolittle Board

• Structure– 55/45 Policy– 55% Career & 45% First Term

Force Management

• Airman Career Program• WAPS• TOPCAP

NCO Duties and Status

• Work Without Supervision• Understand Complex Job Related Problems• Train Subordinates

SMSgt and CMSgt

• Opened Up Promotions• Promote Highly Qualified NCOs• Eased Promotion Stagnation (Korean Hump)

CMSAF and SEA

• Following Tradition of USA and USM– USAF Created CMSAF, Oct 1966– Chief Paul Airey Became First CMSAF, Apr 67

• SEA Position Created in 1970– Fill Communication Gap btw CMSAF and

MAJCOMs– Title Formally Changed to Command CMSgt on 1

Nov 98

The Enlisted Force Structure

• Philosophy– Provide Consistent, Well-defined Expectations

and Standards – Opportunity for Growth for All Airmen– Reflect Air Force Core Values

Purpose of Enlisted Force Structure

• Provide an Enlisted Force Structure to Best Meet Mission Requirements

• Defines Roles, Responsibilities and Expectations for Each Enlisted Rank

• Provide a Common, Stable Enlisted Career Structure

Senior NCO Tier

• CMSgt– Highest Air Force Enlisted– Superintendents and Managers– Provide Senior Enlisted Leadership

• SMSgt– Operational Leaders– Continue Professional Development

• MSgt– Transition from Technical to Operational Leaders– MSgt(s) Should Enroll in & Complete AFSNCOA

Correspondence Course

NCO Tier

• TSgt– Organizational Technical Experts– Provide Sound Supervision and Training

• SSgt– Highly Skilled Technicians– Supervisory and Training Responsibilities– Develop Supervisory Competence

AMN Tier

• SrA– Transition to Role as an NCO

• AIC– Expected to Master Skills in New Career Field

• AMN– Understand & Conform to Military Standards

• AB– Apprentice Acquiring & Demonstrating Knowledge of

Military Customs, Courtesies, Traditions, and AF Standards– Learning Military and Technical Skills

General Responsibilities

• All Airmen Must:– Accept/Execute all Duties, Lawful Orders, &

Responsibilities in a Timely Manner–Maintain Highest Level of Personal Readiness– Be Deployment Ready if Postured So– Actively Support AF Policy of Zero Tolerance

for Discrimination & Sexual Harassment– Be Alert to Detect People Who May be

Exhibiting Suicidal Behavior

References NCOs Must Be Familiar With

• UCMJ, Manual For Courts Martial; DoD 5500.7R, Joint Ethics Regulation; & AFPD 36-29, Military Standards

• Mission & History of AF Mission and Unit of Assignment

• Customs & Courtesies• AF Promotion Program (AFI 36-2502, Airman

Promotion Program)• Enlisted Assignment System• Air Force Awards and Decorations Program

Enlisted Education

• The College for Enlisted PME– ALS– NCOA– AFSNCOA

• Civilian Education/CCAF

Summary

• Enlisted Force Foundation• US Air Force Enlisted Force Evolution• World War II• The Career Force• CMSAF and SEAs• The Enlisted Force Structure• General Responsibilities• Enlisted Education

“Successful People use Their Strength by Recognizing, Developing and Utilizing the Talents of Others.”

-- Ziglar