Annual Gathering of Air Force Generals Showcases Manpower Abuse of Runaway VIP Culture

Clearly I never served in the AF...but did work as an Army LNO at a major AF command on 5mo TDY orders years ago. A mid career officer--who had also transitioned as part of the AF's green to blue program explained thusly--the AF culture revolves around a (very) large support force sending one Airman (a fighter pilot) forward to "accomplish" the mission. This article appears to re-inforce said culture. And it goes w/o saying these norms are out of sync with current CT/Counter Insurgency DoD initiatives.

I would like to state that this is unique to the AF but it isn't. Years ago, I was an executive officer and worked constantly with protocol and it was ridonkulous!!! As an example, there was one General who like the smell of fresh baked cookies so they baked a tray of cookies and put in his room right before he arrived.

However, there are also some good ones out there. I was tasked to worked this exact event many years ago and the three star I was assigned to escort told me when I met him and his wife at the Airport, to give him the keys to the car and the itinerary and they could find there way around...that they were grownups and didn't need a handholder...they were nice about it but didn't demand it.

There is a lot of money and time flushed down the can on this type of stuff and the sad part about it, the folks on the outside that make 10 times the money they make and have way more responsibility than they do, shlep their own bags and rental cars to the hotels and room and meetings. We put them on a pedestal that blows me away...unfortunately, I don't think it is going to stop anytime soon.

SSgt (Join to see) Certainly seems like overkill to me. This event could be handled/managed by a much, much smaller contingent of personnel. Looks like the officer tasked with planning/organizing it has gone overboard and is probably implementing plan that have been used for several past years.

Makes more sense to have this type meeting at the Pentagon.