Air Force updates doctrine documents

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Air Force updates doctrine documents

Posted 11/16/2011

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11/16/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force updated its two capstone doctrine documents.

In October, the Air Force released Air Force Doctrine Document 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, Organization, and Command. In early November, a revised AFDD 1-1, Leadership and Force Development, was approved and is expected to be available online later in November.

"Much has transpired in the world since the previous edition of AFDD 1 was published in 2003," writes Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz in the foreword to AFDD 1. "While we cannot accurately predict where and how we'll next be engaged, doctrine provides a leg up, outlining the basics of organization and command, providing guidance on how to think about and plan for different types of operations and missions. These foundational basics allow us to respond more quickly, freeing commanders and planners to think about larger issues, such as strategy, operational art and objectives."

Maj. Gen. Thomas K. Andersen, the commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, added that AFDD 1 thoroughly discusses the concepts of airpower, airmindedness, and what Airmen provide to the joint force and the nation.

Andersen said the discussion of "airpower" merits special attention.

"Senior leaders discussed whether the overarching construct should be unitary or whether it should explicitly delineate the air, space and cyberspace domains in which the Air Force operates," Andersen said. "We ultimately decided on an inclusive definition of airpower."

That definition defines airpower as "the ability to project military power or influence through the control and exploitation of air, space and cyberspace to achieve strategic, operational or tactical objectives."

AFDD 1 also adds discussions absent in previous versions, such as cyberspace operations, integration of nuclear support, and an expanded discussion of Guard and Reserve integration, especially in a homeland context.

Additionally, AFDD 1 now includes the organizational discussion previously found in AFDD 2, Operations and Organization. AFDD 2 will be rescinded upon publication of a new AFDD 3-0, Operations and Planning, which greatly expands upon AFDD 2's planning discussion.

Other changes to AFDD 1 include distinguishing between traditional and irregular war and the role culture plays in war; replacing the three core competencies and six distinctive capabilities with 12 new core functions; expanding on centralized control/decentralized execution to provide more clarity to the concept; and including an expanded discussion on force presentation that reflects recent experience in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Following closely behind AFDD 1, Schwartz approved AFDD 1-1, the second of the Air Force's capstone doctrine documents. In addition to laying out the Air Force's best practices for creating leaders and applying leadership, Andersen highlighted the expanded definition of "Airman" contained in AFDD 1-1: "When addressing a larger audience within the Service, the term Airman now includes all uniformed members of the Air Force (including active, Reserve and Guard), as well as Department of the Air Force civilians."

AFDDs are available from the Air Force Portal homepage (Doctrine tab) as well as the Air Force's electronic publishing, or e-publishing, website. AFDD 1 can be downloaded at http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFDD1.pdf.

AFDD 1-1 is expected to be posted to the Air Force e-publishing website later in November.

For the memorandum regarding the new documents from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, click here.

Comments

11/26/2011 12:21:44 PM ET
Under the existing AFDD 2, the term Airmen already included DAF civilians. This has rightly been Air Force practice for years. The point was simply moved from one doctrine document to another. And if you understand how airpower is generated at the macro and micro level, you will understand why from the beginning. It's a big complicated Air Force--never assume that your window on it gives you a complete view.

Civilian Airman, Little Rock Arkansas

11/23/2011 12:32:11 PM ET
At Realistic: Reality check. Many of the civilians and contractors employed by the AF have served and retired from military service. Therefore, they have worn the uniform, pcs'ed and deployed. They provide consistency to organizations when folks that are still active have to move on. You raised your right hand and sworn an oath. You volunteered nobody forced you to join. You knew what to expect when you joined. Instead of finding something to complain about try to be positive about change because it is inevitable. You may not always like change but it is your job to support it or come up with a better idea otherwise be quiet and do your job. Our doctrine serves a purpose and though you may not understand it it is a basis to how we operate across the AF. Be proud of the AF you serve in ...get laughed out of the DFAC...in my AF PT gear. Really, Get a mentor. peace

MSgt Harvey, Eglin AFB

11/22/2011 3:37:34 AM ET
As a former AD AF member and now AF GS, I really don't think we should be called Airmen. However, Realistic, We have AFETS technicans who deploy to the desert and they work the same 712 hours as the AD AF troops. AFFES employees deploy to bring you the beloved BK and sundries. Some do get PCS orders to other bases. And those of us who are GS married to military are forced to get a new job every time we move. If we are lucky enough to get to stay GS. And we work overtime illegally without pay as we are paid hourly for love of the team. We have more in common than you might suspect.

Gaijin, Asia

11/21/2011 10:02:52 AM ET
Wow I could have skipped basic training and still be an Airman. Oh yeah, don't ever call a former CIVILIAN US Marine and ex CIVILIAN Marine. Wait wrong branch.

Maj, staff

11/19/2011 12:25:05 PM ET
Doctrine change for the sake of change is by definition waste and abuse. How about leaving things alone for a change. These great ideas are costing the tax paying public thousands if not millions everytime we update doctrine or the official motto.

TSgt Picka, MDL

11/18/2011 2:26:26 PM ET
Please keep in mind that DoD civilians take an oath deploy on a momemts notice and many have made the ultimate sacrifice. I work as a civil servant with a number of former/retired Marines and I admire their philosophy....once a Marine always a Marine. Maybe the Air Force should adopt a similar philosophy. Dedicated and honorable service is still service regardless of wearing a uniform or not.

Retired CMSgtCivil Servant, Peterson AFB CO

11/18/2011 12:22:12 PM ET
If we're going to call Air Force civilians airmen, they should be required to meet the same fitness and weight standards as uniformed airmen.

Jergen, Wright Patterson

11/18/2011 11:36:49 AM ET
No, the Civil Air Patrol shouldn't be called Airman. They are a half step above the Boy Scouts. Reading articles like this makes me continually wonder if the USAF will eventually implode from it's silliness.

Rob, America

11/18/2011 9:56:48 AM ET
Realistic - A lot of civilians went through wearing uniforms, deploying, involuntary PCS assignments and everything else as members of the uniformed services. Not every civilian comes into the workforce straight off the street and you would do well to remember that.

PB, US

11/17/2011 10:03:28 PM ET
So how about Civil Air Patrol Civilians who wear the uniform, proud to serve since 1941 and since 1948 as the Air Force's auxiliary. Are we Airmen, too? Albeit volunteer airmen.

Hmmm, Florida

11/17/2011 7:42:15 PM ET
Heck, realistically AFDD should expand the aperture and include in the term Airman all those contractors since they now take the place and do the work of enlisted and officer Airmen. Pay 'em enough and we can deploy them, too. Check please.

Colorado AF Survivor, Saddle Rock CO

11/17/2011 5:28:59 PM ET
Why does the Air Force constantly make these out-of-touch decisions on things that don't need to be changed? It seems we are more concerned with titles and nonsense than we are with substance. Civilians are civilians -- they are not Airmen. And I'm saying that as a retired master sergeant who is now in civil service. And seriously this had to be a change in doctrine? Don't we have other more pressing things to worry about? Sad.

Retired E-7, Randolph AFB

11/17/2011 4:20:10 PM ET
What about contractors... aren't they Airmen, too, if DAF civilians can now hold the title? Or other servicemembers when stationed at an Air Force base? Let's just declare EVERYONE an Airman who lives or works within a certain geographic distance of an air base.

Stuart, Planet Earth

11/17/2011 4:15:00 PM ET
Gee, there are people out there still not in tune with that idea and AFDD 1-1 had to spell it out for you. Embrace the Total Force people.

former AF officer now AF civilian, SATX

11/17/2011 12:26:37 PM ET
So we spent all this time and money to finally figure out what airmen and airpower mean. Are you kidding me? Civilians are not airmen. Until they start wearing uniforms, deploy at a moment's notice, be subject to involuntary PCS assignments and be forced to change jobs every couple of years they will never be airmen. And airpower. I can't wait to get laughed out of the Army DFAC when I scream AIRPOWER at the top of my lungs in my Air Force PT gear.

Realistic, Deployed

11/16/2011 7:32:15 PM ET
We're now calling DAF civilians Airmen? Interesting . . .

Linda, Scott AFB

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