Personnel chief discusses military personnel budget

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Airmen are the focal point for winning today's fight and efforts relating to recruiting, developing and retaining a high-quality and diverse fighting force need to reflect that, the service's top manpower and personnel officer said on Capitol Hill May 20. 

Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, outlined current personnel numbers, programs and issues relative to the Air Force's part of the president's fiscal 2010 budget. 

"The Air Force has innovative technologies and equipment, but without a doubt the tremendous work of our total force Airmen, civilians and family members are the backbone of the Air Force," General Newton testified before the Senate Armed Services Budget Subcommittee. 

Building and improving family support programs remain among the general's top focus areas. 

"Over the past year, we tackled important issues for Air Force families, such as expanding child care capacity, increasing child care support for Guard and Reserve families, improving financial readiness, and providing opportunities for children of Airmen whether they reside on military installations or in civilian communities throughout the United States," General Newton said. 

The general also pledged to continually reshape the service's workforce skill sets, with particular emphasis on stressed career fields and mission areas such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, aircraft maintenance, acquisition cyber operations and nuclear deterrence operations. The manpower investment includes a nuclear-related personnel increase to 2,500 in addition to 200 new acquisition professionals. 

The general underscored the importance of ensuring the Air Force has the proper end strength to meet current, new and emerging missions following the cancellation of planned end strength reductions. 

"For FY 2010, the active duty end strength will be 331,700 Airmen, with 69,500 Airmen in the Air Force Reserve and 106,700 Airmen in the Air National Guard," General Newton said. 

The general continued that the civilian population will grow to more than 179,000, including 4,200 contractor-to-civilian conversions. 

Although Air Force recruiter enlisted and officer accession statistics continually meet and surpass most of their goals, General Newton said the service will strive to strengthen health profession officer numbers using a "grow our own" strategy that provides more medical scholarships in student-based markets. 

"For our FY 2010 budget, $46 million is programmed for the Health Professions Scholarship Program," General Newton said. "For FY 2010-2015, $217 million is programmed for special pays designated to retain our health professionals." 

In addition to recruiting and retention, force development is high among Air Force priorities, with focus on cyber, nuclear and acquisition education programs such as military education, fellowships, internships and advanced academic degrees. 

"We recognize our total force Airmen must be cross-culturally competent and capable of employing cultural, regional, foreign language and negotiation skill sets anywhere in the world," General Newton testified. 

Despite their locations, the general said, Airmen and their families can expect a solemn commitment to provide care and assistance for seriously wounded, injured or ill servicemembers. 

The general continued that the Air Force has a never-ending obligation to support wounded warriors. 

"Our Wounded Warrior Program staff stays in contact with medically-retired wounded Airmen for a minimum of five years and provides a wide range of assistance, including employment and benefits counseling, in addition to referral to a variety of agencies that assist wounded veterans," General Newton said. 

The general emphasized that Airmen are critical to successful operations at home station and in executing joint and coalition missions around the world. 

"Our efforts to effectively balance end strength for our total force, and to recruit and retain, train, develop and care for Airmen and their families will enable us to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace," General Newton said.