Air Force Reserve legislative goals presented on Capitol Hill

  • Published
  • By Col. Bob Thompson
  • Air Force Reserve Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  "Force readiness, force rebalance, and force support" are the three top legislative priorities unveiled by Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. to more than 60 congressional staffers and military liaison officers at the Senate and House Feb. 25.

"The new priorities are designed to focus congressional policy discussions as the nation faces tough budget decisions in challenging financial times," said General Stenner, the chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon and the commander of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

"Our job is to inform our congressional representatives what we think is the right mix for the total force," the general said. "I'm an advocate for rebalancing the force. Force mix decisions are critical and we need to make some difficult choices."

"Total force priorities are distilled from the Air Force Service Core Functions, which flow from the Secretary of Defense's requirements for global engagements," the general said.

"If you had unlimited funds, you could keep the entire military on full-time status," General Stenner said. "But since we must be cost effective, we need to put a certain amount of capability in the Guard and Reserve for use only when needed."

Reserve manning is seen as a cost-effective solution in today's fiscally constrained environment. After being on active status, reservists return to their civilian lives and a non-pay military status.

"When activated, a reservist costs the same as a regular component Airman," the general said. "However, for mission areas that only require capacity for emergencies, surges or a big fight, it makes sense to put that capability in the Guard and Reserve."

This not only saves money on pay, but cuts down on related personnel expenses, benefit costs and infrastructure, while retaining highly-skilled professionals who are ready whenever needed.

The Air Force has one standard and both regular and reserve Airmen are trained to the same level of readiness, he said.

Also, today's Air Force reservists and guardsmen have roles that have evolved from a strategic reserve, or "surge force," to one that is vital to the day-to-day execution of every military operation, he added.

"Today, many reservists volunteer beyond the minimum, part-time participation requirements," General Stenner said. "Our reservists are integrated into every mission, in every major command, and in every theater of operations around the globe. Now we've got to ensure that we're building the right force mix for both today and the future."

Supporting Airmen is essential, he said.

Force support includes programs for resiliency, reintegration and families. As reservists are mobilized or volunteer, the command is working to help them balance their military commitments with their family life and their civilian employers.

"We've got to take care of our people," General Stenner said. "Families and employers are just as much a part of the fabric of our national defense as the member themselves. After a deployment, we want our reservists to return to their families, civilian employers, and communities as smoothly as possible."

"There is a good discussion going on now," the general said. "I would say that the Reserve component is well-positioned to fill future requirements as our country looks for more cost-effective and efficient ways of doing business."