News>VCSAF discusses benefits, uniforms, F-35 while at Luke
Photos
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove speaks to Airmen at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., during his visit on March 2, 2012. Breedlove visited the base to attend the 309th Fighter Squadron B-Course graduation and took the opportunity to address issues and provide insight on current Air Force topics during an Airmen's Call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert)
Airmen at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., listen to Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove during his visit on March 2, 2012. During an Airmen's Call, Breedlove addressed many issues, including the Air Force's fiscal 2013 budget request and the F-35 Lightning II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert)
by Master Sgt. Cindy Dorfner
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/6/2012 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- The Air Force's vice chief of staff addressed a packed house during an Airmen's Call here March 2.
Gen. Phil Breedlove, who visited Luke AFB for two days, covered a variety of issues during the all-call, to include military benefits, the F-35 Lightning II, and uniform policy.
Breedlove began by talking about the "elephant in the room" - the nation's financial situation.
"The number one threat to the military is our national debt, and the nation is facing tough decisions on how to handle it," he said.
The general said the Air Force's approach to the austere budget environment is to become a smaller but still supremely capable force. To that end, the service will look to divest aging and niche aircraft.
Such measures are aimed at ensuring reduced defense budgets do not "hollow out" the force, Breedlove said.
"After Vietnam, we had a similar drawdown," he explained. "The nation pulled a lot of money out of its military. On this base, if you looked out on the ramp, every third airplane was missing something, like an engine or a wing."
By retaining force structure despite reduced budget levels, the post-Vietnam War Air Force was a hollow force, in that it only presented the illusion of readiness, Breedlove said.
"If the nation had been asked at the time to do what we're doing today, I'm convinced our Air Force would not have been able to do it," the general said. "So what we're focused on, and what all the service chiefs agreed to, is a smaller force, but a force that is capable and absolutely able to do its mission."
Also at the center of attention for the Air Force's top leaders are military benefits, since they make up a large portion of the defense budget, Breedlove said. While the Defense Department is taking a hard look at this area, senior leaders are committed to keeping the faith with those currently serving in uniform and not breaking promises already made, he said.
During the question-and-answer session, Breedlove was asked if Airmen are likely to see a shift from wearing the blue uniform once a week to four days a week, similar to the recent change in uniform wear policy in the National Capital Region.
"For those in the Pentagon, it makes sense," he said. "We're in and out of meetings that require us to be in the blue uniform. But, it's not the intention of [Air Force Chief of Staff] Gen. [Norton] Schwartz to institute that policy outside the NCR."
For those in the audience curious about the F-35A, Breedlove said the Air Force is completely committed to the new strike fighter.
"There are a few nations who have the ability to cause problems for us, and we're getting to the point that our fourth-generation aircraft won't be able to do the job we need them to do," he said. "We need a fifth-generation strike aircraft."
In closing, the general thanked those in attendance and acknowledged Luke AFB as a premier training location for the Air Force.
"You'd be hard-pressed to find a better place in the world to train fighter aviators, maintenance and intel Airmen than Luke Air Force Base," he said.
Comments
3/13/2012 9:26:25 AM ET I can't believe you are all focusing on if we are going to be wearing blue's more than on Mondays alone. There are far bigger threats to our military then which uniform we are all going to be wearing each day. If that's your biggest concern, you might want to check your priorities. If we can't fix our budget and national debt problems, then a 1930's military is what we will have. Think making rank is bad now with a 17 percent selection rate to SMSgt. Try not getting promoted automatically at the lower ranks and staying an Airmen or Lt for 5-6 years. Try not being able to get training missions or maintain currency because we can't afford it. All you care about is blues.
Kevin, Tyndall
3/12/2012 11:47:22 AM ET RF was spot on with their comment. Maybe go to blues the first duty day of each month as a compromise. All of you saying blues should be mandatory all the time for administrative type jobs are living in the past. Quit holding on so tight you dinosaurs. Let it go, man, let it go.
Me, Here
3/12/2012 9:05:14 AM ET I am sorry that I may have offended some of you by stating that most people who don't want to wear blues everyday are probably overweight. But as I travel around to different military installations, for the most part a large majority of military members that I see do look like they have issues with their weight. I understand that there are career fields where wearing blues aren't practical and those individuals should be allowed to wear ABUs. If you are in a war zone or deployed location, then yes you should be in ABUs. I served 22 years in the military during the era of blue fatigues for females, 1505s for the males, and when everyone wore green fatigues. There were gig line issues then and for the most part most people complained that their blues did not fit properly and were uncomfortable. It is unfortunate that over the years whoever designs uniforms still cant get it right. I know it is a different time now, one of doing more with less and people ar
Donna, San Antonio
3/9/2012 7:38:52 PM ET The next time I have a tire blow out on a Monday. I'll make sure to flag down a civilian to change it for me because I don't want to get my blues dirty and in turn have to turn around and go back home to change further delaying my arrival to work.
Airman, Mississippi
3/9/2012 9:29:37 AM ET Did Donna and Seriously conduct some kind of study to make the generalization that anyone who hates wearing blues is overweight? Or was this based on them visiting every AF base on blues monday and looking around at who was unhappy? When you assume like that you lose credibility. As JT points out, with manning issues even office workers have to perform some labor that makes your blues look dirty or unprofessional afterwards. Also maybe redisgn the pants not to be so flat so we can actually put things in them. If you can't put keys or a wallet in your pockets and you can't put your hands in your pocket what is the point of them?
Kal-El, Krypton
3/8/2012 5:25:27 PM ET Wow, what a bunch of babies. Wahhh the blues are uncomfortable. How can I possibly do my job at my desk in my climate controlled office? Oh the humanity! You know who doesn't wear blues to work? Civilians. Maybe you should gain a little perspective about what it really means to be uncomfortable.
Splitzy, SWA
3/8/2012 2:33:51 PM ET In 1937 the number one threat facing our military was the national debt....or was it? There were countries building up their militaries in Europe and Asia. Now look at the miliary buildup in China. Yes, our national debt is a problem, but it seems our current leadership is changing the Air Force. I guess now it is Fly, Fight and Win....as long as it doesn't cost too much. Will it really matter what our debt is if we cannot defend our selves anyway?
Jerry, Oklahoma
3/8/2012 2:08:35 PM ET I DESPISE and I mean DESPISE blues Mondays. It is a non-functional uniform even in an office environment. I look fine in them as a tall, fit and 90-plus individual. Matt hit it on the head that there are no storage areas and they are horrible in cold weather. In ABUs we are prepared for most contingencies, blues not so much. Try eating spaghetti, changing a tire, lifting a box, and then try and keep yourself clean. I have gone as far as to plan some leave on Mondays as my silent protest. I endorse the blues in public to support leadership, but there are an abundance of us that hate the policy.
JT, Scott AFB IL
3/8/2012 10:20:56 AM ET Folks, Ask the average troop what's more comfortable and therefore helps them be more effective at work. I've been in a LONG time and I hate blues Mondays. The constant lint, gig lines, etc., are a pain in the backside. Simple rule for leadership: If you can do something for your troops that isn't illegal or immoral, doesn't violate policy and improves morale -- do it. We are already losing chances to boost morale. You'd better keep the ones you have. BTW, I got a 94 on my last PFT, so no I'm not too heavy for blues.
RF, PAFB
3/7/2012 10:42:42 PM ET Hey Donna, a lot of us who wear blues every Monday and believe it or not actually fit in them every Monday, don't want to wear them 5 days a week. Maybe people don't want to wear blues everyday because pants that are 50 percent wool aren't comfortable at all. Not to mention you can't carry anything in your pockets, they aren't good in cold weather and in general they don't look very military at all. Give me some blues that fit good and look like a military uniform and then we'll talk about me wearing them 5 days a week.
Matt, Denver CO
3/7/2012 3:34:05 PM ET Test
Bob Kellas, Pentagon
3/7/2012 12:43:44 PM ET To Donna. Those who only want to wear ABUs probably can't fit into Blues. Ever notice the elastic on your waistband The arguements on this issue are ridiculous. If this is a real area of concern than we truly are struggling as a force.
Really, CONUS
3/7/2012 10:40:23 AM ET Tip number one, know your audience. If you show up in a flight suit and brief a room full of Airmen wearing ABU's theres a big chance your words will fall on deaf ears as you will already appear to be disconnected with the majority of the force.
SW, OK
3/7/2012 10:35:34 AM ET People who don't want to wear blues everyday are probably overweight. If ABUs aren't your duty uniform, then you should be in blues.
Donna, San Antonio
3/6/2012 2:56:31 PM ET Uh oh. ...senior leaders are committed to keeping the faith with those currently serving in uniform and not breaking promises already made. I guess that doesn't bode well for Air Force retirees. Does this mean senior leaders might be breaking promises regarding health care and other benefits retirees earned over a 20 year career? Unfortunately, it looks like the handwriting is on the wall...once you retire, you're no longer an asset but instead treated as a debit on the balance sheet of the Air Force.
Bob Kellas, Pentagon
3/6/2012 2:13:04 PM ET Best Wolf EVER
Steve, Virginia
3/6/2012 2:09:51 PM ET What the heck is a Unifom? Fix headline please. Disagree with the Blues being for Pentagon only... should be in blues at all bases if ABU or utility not your primary work uniform or not in a base exercise. MPF, hospital, desk jockey, etc - yes to blues daily. Flightline, CE, cops, etc - no.
