Event tackles ancillary training woes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robbie Arp
  • Air Force News Agency
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) --  An Airman's time is like money -- when it's gone, it's gone, said the Air Force's director of Airman development and sustainment.

The Air Force is losing valuable funds because Airmen must focus much of their time on ancillary training instead of their missions, Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice said.

But the general said the Air Force is working to have Airmen focus more on the mission. Air Force leaders met at this training base Jan. 22 through 26 to find ways to reduce existing ancillary training. He said those at the meeting -- from the Air Force Smart Operations 21 community -- worked on streamlining the process for current and future training requirements.

Jim Cain, chief of Air Force training and development said though most of the training is essential, the Air Force needs to curb some of it.

"We need to only keep that ancillary training that is absolutely necessary and at the minimum frequency and length so that it will allow the Airmen more time to do their primary job," Mr. Cain said.

While ancillary training requires much of an Airman's on-duty time, Airmen must often put in extra hours to complete both their primary job and the additional ancillary training requirements.

"If an Airman is working excess hours because he has to do ancillary training, then that not only impacts his mission, his ability to do his primary job, it also impacts his family time and that, in turn, could impact his retention," Mr. Cain said.

He said retention is a big topic in the Air Force, which is in the process of losing 40,000 Airmen. Officials say this reduction will allow for a more effective Air Force. With training becoming more focused, it will allow more time for Airmen to do their primary mission.

Jim Cain said, "That's what it's all about, making us more effective as an Air Force to help us defend our primary role as Airmen."

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