I think it's important to highlight the glaring flaws of the Air Force, but at the same time I think I'd sacrifice credibility if I didn't point out some successes. For instance, the Air Force is leading the way in finding renewable and alternative energy to power the mission, and should be commended.

Government Exec did a nice piece on this. On the flip side, it's important to note that the man spearheading much of this effort, former Air Force Logistics Chief Bill Anderson, retired in the wake of the Moseley and Wynne resignations/firings.

I also thought that Air Force internal public affairs functions could learn from an awesome interview conducted with Brig. Gen. Cecil Richardson, the Air Force chief of chaplains.

The whole "prostheletyzing" thing has hung over the service for a few years, and I can understand the uncomfortability that non-Christians [to include Catholics :)] might feel because of the religious undertones that pervade the service. At the same time, the chaplains I worked with were incredibly valuable and important to the mission, and the service would be at a humungous loss without them.

That said, there's certainly some concern, and no shortage of outspoken critics. I think the interview conducted by Richardson (who's a helluva talker) with Air Force Times really knocked the issue out of the park. If there was a way to empower NCOs/jr. enlisted/jr. officers to ask these direct questions in a public affairs setting, maybe AF Link would be worth reading. Maybe the key is to outsource this function to out-of-chain civilians who wouldn't feel stifled or outranked in this situation, a la Stars and Stripes.

And for the fun stuff:

Air Force Botched Officer Separations: This feels like going to a casino where you always lose, hitting it big at a slot machine, finding out that the slot machine was broken and ultimately getting to keep the money because there's nothing the casino can do about it.

At the same time, Slates Fred Kaplan shares with us, how the Air Force also Botched Officer Promotions. I bet you-know-who is happy he's in the Air Force and not the Army. Sounds like careerist ass-kissers that haven't rolled around in the sandbox aren't having an easy time in our sister service.

More on this topic--one that deserves further analysis-- later.

For now, and as always....With my Greatest Respect,

Morgan

Labels: Air Force, Colonel Voldemort