Developing Airmen continues to be a priority

  • Published
  • By Todd Fore, Ph.D.
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --  An Air Force leader's most important job is to care for and develop Airmen through a combination of education and experience, but every Airman must also actively seek opportunities to learn and grow. This agreement between leaders and leaders-to-be is the foundation of the most powerful air force in the world.

Rapidly changing technologies and increasingly complex global conditions have changed the way we approach national security, and tomorrow's leaders must be technologically proficient, highly educated, strategic thinkers able to smoothly adapt to their changing world. Education is critical to developing that type of leader.

My job is to make sure you are aware of your educational opportunities and to knock down systemic barriers that prevent you from pursuing them. Your job is to chase your educational opportunities with the same determination that you devote to other aspects of your life.

Opportunities abound for all Airmen, from junior enlisted to command eligible officers, and from student interns to flag officer equivalent civilians. The Air Force is the only service with a fully-accredited, associate degree-granting college -- the Community College of the Air Force. That illustrates how seriously the Air Force takes education and training.

In addition to comprehensive enlisted education and training programs, we deliberately, progressively develop our civilian and commissioned members through a series of programs ranging from new employee orientation to Air War College and the gamut between. You can pursue advanced academic degrees, leadership and development seminars, education with industry and more. And the Air Force not only encourages Airmen to pursue such developmental endeavors, we'll pay for most, or all of it.

Education is only part of the development continuum.

Increasingly challenging assignments and mission opportunities also help Airmen develop their decision-making and other leadership skills, so we vector civilians, officers and some senior enlisted members toward opportunities that will make them better leaders.

Some opportunities -- like deployment to a combat zone -- may seem unendurably onerous, but they will help you develop greater strategic awareness and leadership ability. Other less hazardous opportunities -- such as academic or technical training instructor -- are no less critical than combat duties, and the impact you have on Airmen will be evident for generations.

You should not wait to be vectored, though. You should shop for your next growth opportunity to make sure it stretches you and allows you to use your skills and talents in support of our critical missions. If you wait for things to happen to you, you may be waiting a long time.

The sky is NOT the limit for those of you who choose to push past the barriers. But where your career goes is ultimately up to you. I will knock down barriers and point you toward opportunities, but you must do your part. You must passionately pursue education and experiences that will make you the kind of leader our Air Force needs.