Posted on Feb 17, 2015
TSgt Joshua Copeland
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Brownbook
The Air Force actually has an Air Force Instruction (AFI) that governs the Enlisted Force and its duties by both rank tier and specific rank.

I always keep a few hard copies, known as "the little brown book" in my desk drawer. Before the age of the smart phone I carried one on me, now I have the digital version in my phone as a handy reference. I use it all the time for on the spot mentoring and formally when doing our required Airmen Comprehensive Assessments or ACA (formally feedbacks) to highlight where I am getting my expectations from. It is not just me making these requirements/expectations up, they are no kidding black and white requirements in the AFI!

I am always shocked when I have an Airmen that has no idea about the Enlisted Force Structure, I am dismayed when an NCO doesn't know about it, and disappointed as recently as last week when I had 2 Officers in a class I was teaching that had no idea what it was.

So for our sister service folks, here is the "little brown book": http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2618/afi36-2618.pdf

AF Members: Do you routinely use the Enlisted Force Structure?

Sister Service Members: Does your Service have a Reg, Manual, Instruction, etc that is roughly the same? If not. would you want one?
Edited 10 y ago
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Responses: 12
SMSgt Maintenance Superintendent
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Actually, I have about 15 copies on my desk and it is part of the initial assignment brief I have with all of my people. After being a PME instructor for years, I simply assume that most have not seen the EFS and those that have seen it have not read it thoroughly. We also have a copy of the EFS and AFDD 1-1 above the urinals for some additional reading time.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
TSgt Joshua Copeland
10 y
SMSgt (Join to see), I love the urinal idea for AFDD 1-1!
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TSgt Cable &Amp; Antenna Operations Supervisor
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Edited 10 y ago
I keep the blue book, the brown book, and a notepad in my left cargo pocket. So I have them when I need them.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
TSgt Joshua Copeland
10 y
That is awesome TSgt (Join to see)!
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MSgt Supervisor, Executive Driver Section
MSgt (Join to see)
10 y
That's awesome!
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SSgt Senior It Security Analyst
SSgt (Join to see)
10 y
That's high speed A1C Butron!
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SSgt Ticp Operator
SSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
must be a garrison troop :D
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Maj Matt Hylton
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At least for me, I was not taught anything about the actual AFI for Enlisted Force Structure while going through officer PME (Air and Space Basic Course or Squadron Officer's School). The first flavor I got of it through official PME was in Air Command and Staff College.

That being said - my first supervisor at my second assignment in AK introduced me to it formally, since that was my first job working directly with and supervising enlisted members. He was a GS-12 but also a retired SFS MSgt, so he was a BIG help during those formative years of transitioning from Lt to Capt for me.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
TSgt Joshua Copeland
10 y
Maj Matt Hylton, ACSC seems a bit late in an Officer's career to just be introduced to what the enlisted force should be doing.
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Maj Matt Hylton
Maj Matt Hylton
10 y
Not that I wasn't introduced to what they should be doing, but were we actually given a lesson on AFI 36-2618? No, we weren't.

I did get a version of it during ROTC, but I can't say that it was exactly like it is presented in the AFI.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
TSgt Joshua Copeland
10 y
Maj Matt Hylton, I get the broad strokes concept, this just seems like such an important part of leadership that it would at least warrant direct referral to the AFI, especially for the brand new Lt's who, if they are not direct commission or wearing a flight suit, will likely be overseeing enlisted folks. pretty quickly.
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Maj Matt Hylton
Maj Matt Hylton
10 y
Granted, ASBC was 13 years ago and SOS 8 years ago, so things could have changed in the curriculum by now.
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