AETC commander addresses innovation through training

  • Published
  • By Aletha Frost
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The commander of the Air Education and Training Command spoke on innovative recruiting, training and educational goals used to develop Airmen to meet the Air Force and warfighter mission during the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14.

Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz's comments highlighted AETC's role in developing innovative educational and training programs to develop future leaders.

"AETC has a professional and personal responsibility to make sure that all Airmen training and education is updated and meets their needs, as well as the needs of the combatant commanders," General Lorenz said.

AETC's core competencies of recruiting, educating and training positively impact every Airman's career growth and development.

The fourth core competency innovation, borne out of declining budgets, new recruitment goals, education and training challenges, impacts the spectrum of AETC's competencies to meet the warfighter mission.

"Innovation encompasses all of AETC's core competencies," General Lorenz said. "AETC must have innovative programs that are flexible, agile and responsive to educate and train world class students."

Working with today's technology, AETC officials have instituted several innovative training and educational programs to meet future Airmen and warfighter requirements.

AETC officials readily instituted the remotely piloted aircraft fundamental pilot and sensor operator training courses in March 2009. The RPA program went from concept to classroom in six weeks.

Other programs entered into AETC's training inventory to meet the changing Air Force and warfighter mission include the combat system officer pipeline, joint expeditionary task training, cyberspace training, the online master's degree program and Air University's doctorate program in military strategy.

The command will continue to develop dynamic training and education programs, but also needs to be innovative for tomorrow's challenges, General Lorenz said.

"AETC forges the future through innovation by developing America's Airmen today ... for tomorrow," General Lorenz said.