Richard G’s Post

Air Force Eyes Bringing Back Warrant Officers After Decades-Long Absence - Good article and, to be frank, unsure why my beloved Air Force has resisted this move. Particularly with the onset of UAVs decades ago and the need to recruit, train, and retain UAV pilots and weapon systems officers for these vehicles, why not explore this in earnest? Also, I'm sure there are other roles within the USAF, particularly in the Special Warfare career fields, including the WO equivalent of the SF ODA utilization of this mechanism of retention of quality talent, in unique roles. Why wait, I don't get the counter-arguments. I'm sure there are relatively coherent views, and maybe it's just me, but this seems to make too much sense. We need officers, we need NCO backbone, but WOs can fill a role if steps taken thoughtfully, prudently, but with determined purpose. Air Commando Association School of Advanced Air and Space Studies Air Force Special Operations Command https://lnkd.in/eSJnN2di

I hope this airman and his family get answers on why this decision was made this way but I have low trust that anyone will publically know. What they want the public to believe (whether it is true or not) is that the system worked to eliminate someone that exploited his position and status. But how did he get there? Who promoted him? Why was he given such position and for so long without some sort of review or feedback? Will his superiors ever be questioned for their lack of leadership? Why 3 days before his change of command? Why ruin his name, reputation, follow on employment are effected by this article? Why wasn’t it identified earlier and should he not be given due process? Was this a failure of leadership? The system is broken and that is why I am joining Walk the Talk Foundation, LLC. There are members of the Armed Forces that should be held accountable for their actions. And there should be due process and an investigative process that actually determines and eliminates wrong doing.

Army’s new vice chief seeks to drive strategic modernization in our Army...all of it. The stark difference between conventional and special operations (SpecOps) forces when it comes to modernization is deep and wide. It's been that way for decades. Procurement rules are different and when it comes to the "toys" the SpecOps community has...the gap is even wider. That said, I do think there is a healthy compromise...SpecOps has a very different mission and having access to "special equipment" is understandable. When it comes to the conventional aide...you live with what you've got...whether it works or not...and drive on. Bubble gum, baling wire and duct tape are standard issue and your friend!! For the sake of our total force, GEN Mingus, dig in and make the tough decisions and fix it. The fact that you have seen both sides is invaluable. #army #beallyoucanbe #armyveteran #VETLANTA #Veterans #veteran #veteranshelpingveterans #veteranstrong

🚁 Maximizing aviation training & maintenance efficiency 🛠️ Dive into "Training-Focus on Fundamentals," another remarkable piece selected by the Chief of Staff of the Army, authored by Capt. Ty R. Dawson. This insightful article is featured in Aviation Digest and addresses crucial aspects of aviation maintenance in large-scale combat operations. 💬 We encourage our community to reflect on this article. How do you balance intensive training with maintaining team morale and efficiency? Share your insights and experiences. 🔗 Explore the full article here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gi5wv9eh #ArmyLife

Five lessons from the Battle of Midway for modern Naval leaders. 1. Trust the intelligence you have and be decisive. Nimitz knew he needed the crippled Yorktown back in action to counter the impending Japanese attack and immediately ordered her hasty repair. Though Yorktown was a combat loss at Midway, her aircrews proved invaluable to the overall victory. Decisiveness is the key to most victories even if the victory wasn’t pretty. 2. Commander's Intent is how you will ensure the success of tactical units - empower them with clear intent because you probably won’t have a radio. Despite some criticism, Spruance was wise to withdraw his Task Forces to the east after delivering such a decisive blow on the battle’s opening day. This action was in line with the intent that Nimitz gave him before leaving Pearl Harbor; there was no need to call back and ask for guidance. A future Pacific conflict will thrust us back to the long-range communication capability of the 1942 Navy... on scene commanders need to understand in plain language what success looks like and what failure looks like so they can make the right decision without having to ask. 3. Old-fashioned damage control is as important as the latest weapon or technology. Japan arguably had the most technologically advanced naval weaponry in 1942, but her most important weapons – the aircraft carriers – were poorly designed to handle substantial combat damage. In a blue water engagement today, it’s safe to assume that ships will sustain devastating combat damage. No amount of warrior code, aggressiveness, or superior weaponry will help put out fires on a ship that is not built to absorb damage and doesn’t have a crew trained to control it. 4. Despite all the strategy, tactics, technology, and planning, it may simply be that valor, skill, warrior instinct, and a little bit of luck wins the day. As Enterprise’s dive bombers nosed over for their first attacks of the day, Lieutenant Dick Best noticed an over-commitment of forces on one carrier, pulled out of his dive and ordered his two wingmen over to start their attack on Akagi, a decision that resulted in the only direct hit on the Japanese flagship. Commanders must embrace a training and operating culture that empowers tactical leaders to make bold decisions and feel confident to follow their instincts. 5.  Arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand. Perhaps the two greatest mistakes the Imperial Japanese Navy made at Midway were to underestimate the will of the American fighting spirit, and then botch the reconnaissance on the morning of 4 June. DO NOT underestimate the strength, cunning, and determination of your enemy, and don’t shortcut the reconnaissance. The PLAN will not make the same mistakes that their Pacific neighbors made 80 years ago. God bless the men of Task Force 16 & 17, and the brave souls who gave their last measure on this day - 82 years ago - so that the idea of America may continue to shine.

The USAF is at an inflection point, failing rapidly. It's a situation Eric and I have been writing about for years. Air Force leaders, from Secretary Kendall and Gen. Brown to predecessors including Gen. Goldfein have failed the service, prioritizing politics over warfighting acumen and readiness. Ask any Air Force pilot in almost any flight community. They do not fly enough to maintain currency let alone competency. None of this is unknown to Air Force and Pentagon leaders. Yet they do nothing about it, spending limited resources on research programs with no guarantee that they will ever come to fruition or produce aircraft or weapons in meaningful mass. The training pipeline for tactical pilots is hopelessly behind schedule and not improving despite money spent on programs to try to teach student pilots how to fly and fight aircraft in simulation. Meanwhile Air Force resources continue to be wasted on social engineering nonsense that is tearing the service apart and consuming part of its limited resources. But leadership presses on with this disgusting folly without being held accountable. A wholesale change in Pentagon leadership needs to happen very soon or our military will be nothing but a rapidly shrinking paper tiger. https://lnkd.in/e89cEEqs

In the 2024 NDAA Congressman Don Bacon, a House Armed Services Committee member, introduced a requirement for the United States Air Force to produce a plan for future force design through 2050. The plan was due to Congress by Aug. 31, 2024. I wouldn’t be surprised if the plan is delayed given the magnitude of the challenges facing the United States Air Force. Chief among them is historically low levels of military spending as a % of GDP during perhaps the most challenging international security environment since the end of WWII. A whole lot has happened in the last year with SECAF Frank Kendall III’s efforts to optimize the United States Air Force for GPC including significant announcements related to the future of the fighter fleet. Yet much remains at stake: the Air National Guard’s 25 fighter squadrons are a big part of any Air Force plan, but many are at risk of permanent closure due to the divestment of aircraft. This will cost the Total Force some of its most experienced pilots and maintainers and create an experience hole that will take over a decade to fix. Additionally, the Air National Guard KC-135 fleet is in need of recap and the Air National Guard is hemorrhaging the most experienced battle management operators due to CRC remissioning. Despite the challenges there is reason for optimism: SECAF and CSAF are driving serious transformational change with huge opportunities to further unleash the power of the Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve. The United States Congress, especially the armed services committees seems to be listening. The ICC is standing up under the command of Maj Gen Mark Mitchum. And a new slate of great National Guard Bureau and Air National Guard senior leaders are pending confirmation and poised to seize the moment. The pieces are in place. LFG! #nationalguard #nationalsecurity #natsec #strategy #deterrence https://lnkd.in/eYbz98Pp

Need for on-the-move command posts / elements as lesson learned from conflict at Ukraine ?

Recent inspections of United States Marine Corps barracks are set to bring about significant improvements in maintenance and living conditions. The Marine Corps Installations Command has ordered inspections of every barracks across the service, with the goal of identifying areas that require immediate attention. The focus is on short-term wins to demonstrate a genuine understanding of the importance of comfortable living conditions for our service members. To address the long-standing problem of poorly maintained barracks, the Marine Corps has committed $2 billion annually for the next five years. This substantial investment aims to make a significant impact and improve the living conditions of Marines and sailors. Taking care of Marines is a top priority, as emphasized by Commandant Gen. Eric Smith. The Barracks 2030 plan has three key goals: modernizing the barracks, professionalizing management, and employing contractors for maintenance work. This initiative recognizes the need for a fundamental shift in how barracks are managed. The responsibility of fixing and maintaining barracks falls on the Barracks Support Center, rather than solely on individual commanders. Colonel Thomas "Marty" Bedell, commander of Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego, shared his positive outlook on the initiative, stating that the increased number of maintenance requests is encouraging, as it reflects the Marines' engagement and desire for improved conditions. In the past, many issues went unreported, leaving barracks facilities in poor shape. Some rooms were even deemed uninhabitable. Barracks conditions are seen as a reflection of the Marine Corps' values and priorities. The Barracks 2030 vision, which includes recommendations for better management of barracks facilities, will bring about extensive repair and maintenance requests. The Marine Corps is committed to establishing a minimum habitability standard for each room, and this investment in the well-being of our service members is a testament to that commitment. #MarineCorps #USMarines #BarracksImprovement #MaintenanceMatters #Barracks2030 #MarineCorpsPride

The Pentagon is pressing ahead with new tech and new tactics in 2024, many inspired by the conflicts in Ukraine, the Red Sea, and elsewhere. It's also working hard to boost production of existing weapons and figure out just how it would wage a major conflict in the Pacific. But progress has been hindered by the budgetary chaos in Congress, where debate is just beginning on next year's spending plan. Defense One is proud to present State of Defense 2024, a service-by-service look at how the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force are modernizing and positioning for the year ahead. Read: State of the Army by Sam Skove State of the Navy by Bradley Peniston State of the Air Force by Audrey Decker State of the Marine Corps by Sam Skove State of the Space Force by Audrey Decker Story Continues Below Sponsor Message And watch our interviews with the services' top leaders: Gen. Randy George, Army Chief of Staff Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations Gen. David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Christopher Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations. Source: @Defense One