You non Air Force guys misunderstand the comments posted from many of us. We don't dislike the Air Force as a service, we dislike much of the leadership and promotion standards. I wouldn't have wanted my time to be in any other service just like you and yours. We do see the sillyness that goes on, however, and see those that try to fight it get kicked out/ not promoted or leave out of frustration while those that perpetuate it move up in the ranks...

This stuff isnt new...go watch/read MASH, Catch 22 or Paths of Glory or any number of movies/books on the subject of military stupidity.

As far as the need for an Air Force, the US Air Force is the only service of the 5 that does not use air power as a support/defensive function inherently. You might not like that fact but it is true. Aviation is not the mission of your services. It is secondary at best. Attack a ship and all the navy planes go home to defend. Marines under fire? All the Marine aviation is recalled to defend... Army air power doctrine? That is why we separated to begin with i.e. Mitchell vs Pershing etc...

The United States needs heavy strategic bombing, strategic airlift, heavy spacelift, aerial refueling, tactical airlift on a mass scale, stealth fighter capability etc. etc. Most importantly we need people who are flyers first, not Marines, Sailors or Soldiers who also happen to fly aircraft. The other services do not provide that.

We all bring something to the table. The Air Force brings the bulk of the air power and a service dedicated to nothing else (except reflective belts )