WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 001131. Air Force exceeds 2000 recruiting goal WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force said today that it is winning its "war on recruiting" by reaching this year's goal with the recent signing of the 34,000th enlistment contract in Mt. Vernon, Ill. With 26,070 new airmen sent to basic training since the beginning of the fiscal year, the Air Force has enough contracts with new recruits to enter basic training by Sept. 30 to meet its annual goal. "This is a great accomplishment for not only our recruiters, but for the entire United States Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters. "We made recruiting a top priority this year and are pleased to see the initial fruits of our labor. However, we won't let up; we will continue to work hard to reach both our future recruiting and retention goals." Last year, the Air Force missed its recruiting goal for the first time in 20 years. An increase in the number of recruiters, targeted enlistment bonuses in hard-to-fill areas and months, and a first-ever paid television advertising campaign contributed to this year's success. In addition to increasing its overall manning, the Air Force deployed 100 recruiters from headquarters and staff positions for 90 days, recalled 170 former recruiters to serve 120 days on temporary duty status and deferred assignments for nearly 100 recruiters. This boosted its number of "on the street" recruiters from fewer than 900 last fall to approximately 1,300 current recruiters. "Our front-line recruiters and the entire Air Force recruiting team are doing excellent work," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan. "They've responded to the challenge and we are extremely pleased with the quantity and quality of our new recruits. We will continue to make recruiting and retention a top priority." Even with 34,000 sign-ups in hand, recruiters are still hard at work recruiting additional candidates in anticipation of possible cancellations and to begin filling an expected 34,600 new jobs for next year. "We really don't yet have the time to stop and celebrate, " said Brig. Gen. (select) Duane Deal, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. "This is an indicator of how hard our recruiters are working, but we still have a daunting challenge ahead of us." Recruits cite the opportunity to further their education as the top reason for joining the Air Force, according to a recent survey. All new recruits are automatically enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force, the only accredited junior college among the armed services. "When our great recruiters talk to young people today, they recognize that joining the Air Force equals enrolling in college. It's automatic on their enlistment, and new trainees earn between 15 and 72 college hours when they complete training, depending on their skill areas. Added to that, they are gaining a skill, immediate responsibility and being part of the world's greatest aerospace team," Deal said. With an ever-increasing emphasis placed on high-tech operations and weapon systems, the Air Force is recruiting the best of America's youth. Young people entering today's Air Force can qualify for more than 200 skills. The Air Force is currently placing special emphasis on recruiting qualified high school graduates and college students interested in electronic and mechanical fields. For more information on the recruiting program, contact Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas at (210) 652-5993, or via e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more information about Air Force career opportunities, visit the Air Force Recruiting Service Web site at http://www.airforce.com 001131a.gif and 001131a.jpg Even with 34,000 sign-ups in hand, recruiters are still hard at work recruiting additional candidates in anticipation of cancellations and to begin filling an expected 34,600 new jobs for next year. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andy Dunaway) 001132 Guard, Reserve units called to fight forest fires CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. (AFPN) -- The 146th and 302nd Airlift Wings joined the U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to fight forest fires in the Los Padres National Forest 20 miles south of Big Sur, California. They are two of only four Air Force units equipped and trained to support the Forest Service's modular airborne fire fighting systems. . The MAFFS System is self-contained fire-retardant dispersal unit that allows a C-130 Hercules to be quickly converted to fire-suppression duty. The 302nd AW, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the only Reserve unit with MAFFS capabilities. In addition to the National Guard's 146th AW, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., the Guard has units in Charlotte, N.C., and Cheyenne, Wyo that are trained to use the fire suppression equipment. Military personnel do not become actively involved in fire-fighting missions until all civilian resources have been committed to an operation and are no longer available to combat new fires. "There are fires everywhere, not just in Colorado, California and Utah," said Lt. Col. Luke Coker, chief navigator for the 302nd AW's 731st Airlift Squadron. "All available assets belonging to the U.S. Forest Service were being used. That's why we got the call." According to a prior agreement with the military, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, can request military participation through the director of Military Support at the Pentagon when needed. "Very few units actually get to do a mission they're trained for during peacetime," said Lt. Col. Ted Wright, 731st AS flight commander and commander for the operation. "But that's what we're doing. It's exciting for us to know that we're doing something good to help the American people." The firefighting season generally runs between August and November. "There seems to be more fires than usual this year," said Wright. "It's important that we re-qualify in MAFFS every year. We were once activated for three months in 1994, and I don't know how long we'll be involved this year. We select only our best qualified aircrews, pilots and people for this mission. It's demanding to fly 150 feet above a fire over unfamiliar terrain. "Once activated we become a national asset," he added. "It's up to the U.S. Forest Service where we'll be put to do the most good." (Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service and146th AW) 001132a.gif and 001132a.jpg Fire fighting equipment is loaded onto a 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., C-130. The modular airborne fire fighting system is a self-contained fire-retardant dispersal unit used by the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. The National Interagency Fire Center, Boise, Idaho, can request the military units participate once all civilian resources have been committed to an operation and are no longer available to combat new fires. (Air Force photo) 001133. Air Force officer dismissed for illegal drug use by Capt. Jesse Arnstein Space and Missile Systems Center Military Justice Chief LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- A first lieutenant from the Navstar Global Positioning System Joint Program Office here pled guilty to using marijuana and was court-martialed July 6. The officer was dismissed from the Air Force, fined $2,000 and reprimanded by the court-martial jury comprised of nine officers. Dismissal, for military officers, is equal to receiving a dishonorable discharge. The charges arose when the accused tested positive during a random urinalysis in March. At the time the urinalysis was given, he had already received Article 15 punishment and was undergoing administrative discharge proceedings stemming from an earlier positive result for marijuana in a random urinalysis. Maj. Clarence Guillory, chief circuit trial counsel of the Western Circuit, and Capt. Edward Fabi from the base legal office prosecuted the case. Capt. Arthur Kirkpatrick, the Area Defense Counsel, defended the accused. "The Air Force drug testing program is an extremely effective deterrent to wrongful use of illegal substances," said Lt. Col. Robert Federico, 61st Air Base Group Staff Judge Advocate. "This officer will have a federal conviction on his record. The outcome of this trial demonstrates that misconduct such as his will be taken seriously and punished accordingly." (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service) 001135. Defense officials announce plan to replace food stamps by Army Staff Sgt. Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Service members who qualify for food stamps -- and some who don't -- may soon get debit cards to use in commissaries, DOD officials announced July 28. Defense Secretary William S. Cohen told reporters at the Pentagon the DOD-issued cards would be credited with a fixed monthly value based on the user's rank and family size. The new plan would be optional for members and cost the department $31.5 million per year. Members can't participate in both programs. Cohen called the cards necessary because Agriculture Department food stamp rules create an inequity between service members who live on base and those who live off. Under current food stamp eligibility guidelines, the value of base family housing isn't counted as income, but housing allowances for those who live off base are. All other things being equal, then, families living on base appear to be needier than those living off base. The debit cards would end the inequity by not counting housing allowances as income, DOD officials said. This probably means more service members would receive cards than currently receive food stamps -- but it's fair, they said. Cohen also said the proposed debit card program would be more convenient because it would be administered by installations and members wouldn't have to travel to state food stamp offices. The cards would give members up to 30 percent more buying power because of commissaries' lower prices, he suggested. Officials are adding provisions for cash allowances for remotely located service members who do not have ready access to a commissary. Defense officials have said a cash allowance to members who qualify for food stamps wouldn't work because that could create situations where lower-ranking individuals are paid more than their superiors. "We tried also to take into account that our pay scales depend upon rank, responsibility (and) years of service, and we want to keep that basic core of our compensation schedules. This allows the military to have control (of the pay scales) and address the needs of families who need assistance," Cohen said of the card proposal. The plan needs congressional approval. Cohen said the idea already has support from members of the House and Senate armed services committees. Navy Capt. Elliott Bloxom, DOD's director of compensation, said the plan will likely be covered in the fiscal 2002 budget request and take effect Oct. 1, 2001. The military doesn't keep statistics on members receiving food stamps, but DOD officials have estimated that about 6,300 households participate. That's less than one-half percent of the force, they said, and the members in question generally have larger-than-average families. 001134. 109th Airlift Wing C-130 shines and takes top honors GLENVILLE, N.Y. (AFPN)-- The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing brought home the Royal International Air Tattoo 2000's Concourse d'Elegance Trophy for the best kept aircraft. The tattoo, held at Royal Air Force Cottesmore, United Kingdom, July 19-24, had more than 150 aircraft representing military forces from more than 30 countries competing. The 109th AW's LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft, City of Amsterdam, that routinely flies to the South Pole and Arctic Circle, received the award. Judging for the competition was based on the exterior of the aircraft -- its general appearance, cleanliness, paint condition, and finish. Judges also considered the aircraft's age, flying hours and operating environment in their decision. "The fact that this aircraft, which sees regular duty in some of the harshest environments imaginable, was judged the best maintained from among the world's best, is a truly remarkable accomplishment," said Maj. Gen. Jack Fenimore, New York State adjutant general. Twelve foreign service air attaches comprised the international panel of judges. The Concourse d'Elegance Trophy is awarded for scoring the highest number of points for preparation and presentation of aircraft. The aircraft and the Guard wing racked up the highest point total ever recorded with 117 out of a possible 120 points. 001136 Commentary: Sight picture keeps our priorities in order by Gen. Hal Hornburg Commander, Air Education and Training Command RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- I believe the mission statement of Air Education and Training Command should be simple and direct: To replenish the combat capability of our operational Air Force with highly trained and motivated airmen. Granted, executing this mission is complex, but we should not lose "sight" of the ultimate goal as we work the details. That's why I believe every unit should have a "sight picture." Simply put, it's focusing our eyes on a certain target, then using the machinery and resources at our disposal to hit the target, dead center. The command's sight picture ensures we focus on our priorities -- what I call the four "U"s - the United States of America, the United States Air Force, the unit and "you" the individual. Everything we do must first uphold the oaths we took upon entering the service. We swore to defend our country -- not our individual service, base or home -- but our country. We can never forget this oath. That's why I made it my top priority. We all serve this great country for various reasons, but the sacrifices we make on a daily basis preserve the freedoms enjoyed by an entire nation. If it's not good for the nation, then it's not the right thing to do. Our second priority must be the U.S. Air Force and our core values. Adhering to our core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do helps us maintain the framework necessary to carry out our responsibility as a premier fighting force. Fundamental and timeless in nature, our core values reach across the entire force. The unit comes next in the priority list. The best leaders forge an equitable balance between what's best for the unit and what's best for individuals. Even so, leaders occasionally must make tough decisions between an individual's desires and needs and unit mission requirements. The unit has to come first. Placing individual needs ahead of the mission will ultimately hurt the organization and affect more than just one person. It may not always be the most popular decision, but it will be the right decision. In addition, commanders at all levels must make sure the burdens are shared as equally as possible and recognized appropriately. Rounding out my top priorities is "you." Each and every individual is vital to the success of our command and America's Air Force. As members of the "First Command," we are the first "blue-suiters" with the Air Force's newest airmen. We recruit them, train and educate them, and then send them into the tough world of deployments, combat and other dangerous situations. America's Air Force is the world's best because of the basic foundation we instill in each new member. Quality airmen-motivated and trained to be the best-are our products and, without them, we are irrelevant. Our Air Force and our nation depend on the quality of the airmen we graduate. (Courtesy of AETC News Service) 001137. Commentary: Hats on, hats off by Tech. Sgt. Ginger Schreitmueller Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- It's not often you'll get someone to admit they wasted government time while at work. I'm stepping up to that proverbial plate and saying, yep, I wasted nearly an hour of the taxpayers' money the other day. It had been one of those weeks where you wonder if you're the last one to know some big, breaking news. Everywhere I turned someone was stepping out of a car, walking into a building, lollygaging around outside without his or her hat on. Surely, I thought to myself, if the Air Force had rescinded the wear-the-hat-outside rule I'd have seen a blurb or two somewhere - Air Force Press Service, an email from the first sergeant, a post-it note attached to some policy letter. But, I was beginning to think I was the last one to be read in on this important uniform change. The airman in desert cammies (uniform) sauntering into the off-base frozen drink place apparently got the word. The master sergeant waltzing around the housing area reading his mail saw the memo. The staff sergeant making a dash from the parking lot to the burger joint saw the news release. The starving airman hopping into the dining hall surely read the note from his commander about it. Each one provided that "Are you stupid?" look when I asked about a hat, a beret, a cover or cap. Maybe, I was the last to know. That's when I decided before I stopped one more person about their missing top cover, I'd better spend a little quality time on the Internet. Checked Air Force Link, DOD Link, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force's home page, I even pulled down a copy of Air Force Instruction 36-2903 (35-10 to those still clinging to the good 'ole days). Not one mention, not one iota about a phase out for hats or a total abolishment of those pesky hair-messing gadgets. After nearly an hour of search engines and find-it buttons, I gave up. I wasn't out of the loop, outside the G-turn, off my lane, on a different sheet of music. Furthermore, there are no references to exceptions that allow excuses such as "I forgot it," "You don't need it in housing," "We don't wear them with this uniform," or (my personal favorite) "Yeah, whatever." Feeling victorious in confirming that more often than not, I am in on big news information, I was pretty cranky. Then, driving to work the next morning I saw someone else who reassured me that the hat rules are followed. A lieutenant had pulled her car into the median and appeared to be having tire trouble. Right behind her, an airman noticed the distress and pulled in to offer assistance. (The non-hat wearers in the bunch may want to sit down for this next part.) The airman gets out of his car, WITH his hat already on, walks over to the lieutenant and, no kidding, SALUTES! Off base, in the midst of morning rush hour traffic, in uniform he has his hat on and renders the proper military courtesies! Hundreds of people are zipping by this well traveled road, most late for work. And, this airman not only stops to help but also doesn't forget his military standards in the process. Future chief master sergeant of the Air Force, say I. As I silently applauded the airman's military bearing (I was driving and couldn't actually take my hands off the wheel), I wondered if he'd wasted any taxpayer's money searching for uniform changes, too. (Courtesy of AFSOC News Service) *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? 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