As the Air Force looks to pare down its budget, service leaders must make sure a cut to one program doesn’t have unintended consequences further down the line, said CMSAF James Roy last week during AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. As an airman goes through his career, his experiences, education, and training are all linked, he said. “We have some of the best technicians in the world and we have some of the most advanced equipment in the world,” said Roy. “We need to make sure that is sound.” The question, though, is how to bring an airman’s experiences, education, and training together operationally without losing sight of the strategic focus, he said during his Feb. 24 address.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.