THE ENLISTED FORCE
Dec 16, 2015
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
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
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