USAF: Didn't Learn The Last Time?

Subscribe
1  2  3  4  5 
Page 2 of 5
Go to
Quote: Either a breakdown in discipline OR a symptom of the fact that today's USAF emphasizes everything (advanced degree, PME, duty titles, awards packages, political correctness, practicing for fake wars while fighting real ones, and CBTs related to not being a sex fiend) except your primary operational duty.
Of course this ^^^^^^^ too. It is all falls under lack of leadership...

Here's one for you... A few years ago I was specifically recruited to assist in the reorganization of an underperforming department at an aerospace manufacturing firm. This company was engaged in the manufacture of parts and subassemblies for aerospace vehicles. Our customers were primarily defense contractors. A majority of the components/products ultimately ended up in the hands of our warfighters. During Indoc I was handed my ID badge. The companies mission statement was printed on the back side. Included in it was the following sentence; "We strive for 98.7% customer satisfaction"...
Reply
"When I see something like this I look deeper, for the REAL reason. It usually stems from lack of leadership" Yoda2

Like sending out a mass e-mail in an attempt to resolve human performance standards? While I do not know the particulars in how the Deputy OG managed this specific issue, sending an email would not have been my first option. "The Greatest Generation" did not have keyboards, yet it appears it is the management method of choice for today's "Keyboard Commanders"--key word being "management" and not "leadership." Officers, enlisted and managers not directly in respective chains of command belt out requirements via mass emails, diluting clear lines of authority. Anybody with a keyboard is a commander nowadays, and those who are in positions that can have the most effect wrt instilling leadership are at their desk answering emails and "leading from behind.”

Again, I am not privy to all the specifics that may have been accomplished by leadership at Minot wrt this situation, but my generalization remains firm: the "boots on the ground" are not in the back shops, not on the line, not putting their finger in the chest of the gumshoe personnelist generating requirements from their keyboard....they are parked behind their desk "leading from behind." While email has a role in effective management, it obviously should not be the primary “leadership” tool.

I have oversimplified the issue for brevity....I imagine we all could write a novel.
Reply
Here we go again...
Air Force nuke officers caught up in big cheating scandal - CNN.com

(CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force's nuclear command has been rocked by a cheating scandal involving nearly three dozen officers.

Cheating on a proficiency exam involving intercontinental missile launch officers at the Global Strike Command at Malmstrom Air Force base in Montana apparently was carried out around last August and September by text and appears to be the largest incident of its kind, the Pentagon said.

"This is absolutely unacceptable behavior and it is completely contrary to our core values in the Air Force and as everybody here knows, the No. 1 core value for us is integrity," Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told reporters.

Officials said the nuclear arsenal is secure.

The case involving 34 officers with the 341st Missile Wing stemmed from a drug possession investigation at multiple air bases in the United States and overseas. Two of those caught up in the cheating episode have been linked to the other probe, officials said.

Sixteen officers were ultimately found to have actually cheated on the monthly proficiency exam while the rest knew the answers had been shared with others and did not report the violation, the Pentagon said.

All those disciplined in the investigation are no longer certified to conduct nuclear operations. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh indicated there are enough officers on hand to securely maintain the nuclear missiles in Montana.

He also echoed concern expressed by James about the integrity of the officers overseeing those caught up in the widespread cheating.

"We're going to look into this with every means at our disposal," he said.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "was deeply troubled" to learn of the allegations and "he strongly supports the aggressive steps the Air Force is taking in response to them," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.

Hagel just returned from visiting ICBM officers in Wyoming.

There are approximately 190 officers overseeing readiness of nuclear weapons systems in Montana, meaning the scandal has touched nearly 20% of that force.

The Air Force said all officers in the command will be re-tested by the end of Thursday.

This is the latest incident to rock the Air Force nuclear operations.

Last year, a missile unit at Malmstrom failed a safety and security inspection.

They operate about a third of the 450 Minuteman III nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles in the U.S. force, according to the Air Force statement.

Also last year, another outfit based at Minot, North Dakota, did poorly in an inspection, resulting in the removal of 17 military personnel from their jobs.
Reply
Good thing PT, PME in residence (even if you completed correspondence), Top 3/CGO/FGO club memberships, and "resiliency" are the focus of Big Blue as of late....
Reply
Quote: Good thing PT, PME in residence (even if you completed correspondence), Top 3/CGO/FGO club memberships, and "resiliency" are the focus of Big Blue as of late....
Ah, yes, resiliency! Apparently we will be hearing a lot more about that....not sure why though. The ops tempo seems to have slowed at my base. This is the first time in twelve years of service I don't know of an upcoming AEF..

As far as nukes go, I've heard that job is a huge PITA, as it well should be. I've heard stories about inspections nearly going to blows/brawls because everyone is so keyed up... I don't know, though, no first hand experience.
Reply
Quote: (CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force's nuclear command has been rocked by a cheating scandal involving nearly three dozen officers.

Officials said the nuclear arsenal is secure. <Insert Kevin Bacon "All is well" Animal House image here>


Sixteen officers were ultimately found to have actually cheated on the monthly proficiency exam while the rest knew the answers had been shared with others and did not report the violation, the Pentagon said.
Totally clueless civvie observation - how different would a test given monthly be? Rearrange Q's? Cycle different tests on a schedule?
Reply
More importantly...did they have passing PT scores and were their Government Travel Card's not more than 30 days overdue?
Reply
Quote: Air Force nuke officers caught up in big cheating scandal - CNN.com

(CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force's nuclear command has been rocked by a cheating scandal involving nearly three dozen officers.

Cheating on a proficiency exam involving intercontinental missile launch officers at the Global Strike Command at Malmstrom Air Force base in Montana apparently was carried out around last August and September by text and appears to be the largest incident of its kind, the Pentagon said.

"This is absolutely unacceptable behavior and it is completely contrary to our core values in the Air Force and as everybody here knows, the No. 1 core value for us is integrity," Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told reporters.

Officials said the nuclear arsenal is secure.

The case involving 34 officers with the 341st Missile Wing stemmed from a drug possession investigation at multiple air bases in the United States and overseas. Two of those caught up in the cheating episode have been linked to the other probe, officials said.

Sixteen officers were ultimately found to have actually cheated on the monthly proficiency exam while the rest knew the answers had been shared with others and did not report the violation, the Pentagon said.

All those disciplined in the investigation are no longer certified to conduct nuclear operations. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh indicated there are enough officers on hand to securely maintain the nuclear missiles in Montana.

He also echoed concern expressed by James about the integrity of the officers overseeing those caught up in the widespread cheating.

"We're going to look into this with every means at our disposal," he said.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "was deeply troubled" to learn of the allegations and "he strongly supports the aggressive steps the Air Force is taking in response to them," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.

Hagel just returned from visiting ICBM officers in Wyoming.

There are approximately 190 officers overseeing readiness of nuclear weapons systems in Montana, meaning the scandal has touched nearly 20% of that force.

The Air Force said all officers in the command will be re-tested by the end of Thursday.

This is the latest incident to rock the Air Force nuclear operations.

Last year, a missile unit at Malmstrom failed a safety and security inspection.

They operate about a third of the 450 Minuteman III nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles in the U.S. force, according to the Air Force statement.

Also last year, another outfit based at Minot, North Dakota, did poorly in an inspection, resulting in the removal of 17 military personnel from their jobs.

I'm pretty sure this isn't a new thing for the AF missile force...These guys just got caught...
Reply
I was actually joking about this on another forum thinking these tests were like our weekly MQF tests in UPT, but a few buddies who were prior missile guys said the tests are actually pretty hard and they are constantly changing. With that being said, they also commented that sitting on alert was pretty much a 4 year penance in which your main goal was to get paroled into a Space job... or anything other than sitting in the hole! I can't imagine morale is very high in that community and if their "leadership" is anything like that of the rest of the AF it must be downright depressing!
Reply
Quote: I was actually joking about this on another forum thinking these tests were like our weekly MQF tests in UPT, but a few buddies who were prior missile guys said the tests are actually pretty hard and they are constantly changing. With that being said, they also commented that sitting on alert was pretty much a 4 year penance in which your main goal was to get paroled into a Space job... or anything other than sitting in the hole! I can't imagine morale is very high in that community and if their "leadership" is anything like that of the rest of the AF it must be downright depressing!
Space job might not be any better...Unless you end up at NRO right out the gate and can stay there I'd pass on the career field...Anyone considering the AF...I'd tell them to go if you want to be a pilot, special operations, or IT / cyber...
Reply
1  2  3  4  5 
Page 2 of 5
Go to