Do you think the Air Force runs like a military or a Corporation?

2016-08-23T17:06:49-04:00

In my 15 year of serving in the AF I saw many changes, but the biggest change I saw was a perception that AF was being ran more corporate than military. A prime example would be PT, in 2004 the AF started the PT program and PT was mandatory. Today the reg has changed to where the AF is not responsible for physical training you are and if you fail it's your fault. Just one example not specific.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-08-23T20:19:55-04:00

In the majority of AFSCs, it appears to be leaning more like a corporation. You still have AFSCs that hold on to their big brother Army ties - Security Forces, SpecOps, etc. Granted, there are several more technology leaning AFSCs than the normal branch, too, so that might have quite a bit to do with it.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Aug 23 at 2016 9:35 PM

2016-08-23T21:35:18-04:00

The Air Force is more technology driven than the other branches. IMO, that's why Big Blue looks and acts more like a corporation than it does a military service. Other than a few select AFSC's (ie: TACP, SF, and Fighter/Bomber aircrew) most never see direct combat operations the way Marines and Soldiers do. It's hard to be all 'Hooah' when you're 1000 miles from the battlefront.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 7:22 AM

2016-08-24T07:22:33-04:00

When it comes to running more so as a corporation, it seems as if its the AFSC's that are further away from the actual ops tempo. While they all are important jobs, they do not have the direct ties to aircraft or the mission. This being said a lot of the other AFSC's do not seem to know exactly what missions are being executed or what is actually being accomplished. NOT ALL, just some. Those jobs are the ones that IMO are being ran as more of a corporation. When it comes to PT I actually agree with the way PT is ran currently. With the downsizing of the Air Force and the increasing ops tempo, mandatory PT is taking time away from the time necessary to get the job done. While PT is indeed important, the second you signed your enlistment papers you agreed to an understanding that you would be tested and that physical fitness is now a part of your everyday life. I understand people have families and other business outside of work, but you also have to make time. I don't think Big Blue should have to watch over anyone to make sure they can do pushups when we all knew fully what we were signing up for.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Oct 23 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-10-23T18:56:17-04:00

I spent my career on the flight line. It was run more like a plantation than a corporation.