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From our forums

NYT op-ed

It’s been a cute experiment, but without the million-men service branches of the Cold War, there’s no reason to have an independent air force. That’s the only reason we were created. Omar Bradley’s own words: “The Army Air Forces had grown so large and unwieldy we couldn’t manage it.” That was with millions of personnel in the Army and Air Force. We’re not near those numbers now. I think at the minimum, we should be folded into the Department of the Army like the Marines are with the Navy. A separate and equal service but with the reins drawn a little tighter, then we can get rid of some of our career fields and give those personnel to the Army and vice versa.

— Silver Fox

Phasing in PT changes

So when they decide what the changes are, how should it be implemented? I see a couple of options:

1) Quick & easy: establish a cut-over date and it is what it is. This would mean if you failed on June 30, and the new standard was in effect on July 1 and you would pass using that standard, too bad. No worrying about dates, cycles, equality ... just do it.

2) Phased: It is easy to make changes that affect only enlisted or only officers; you structure a phased implementation based on promotion eligibility cutoff date or promotion cycle. This would be a nightmare, given this is a forcewide initiative. The number of phase dates would be a nightmare to track.

3) Direct conversion: Last test data is available; just convert to the new standard and let the new score stand. If it resulted in moving from fail to pass (which from all the plans floating around, it really does seem like this will happen more often than the opposite ... which I guess would make it seem like we’re just lowering the bar), then you’re good to go ... and if you’re not, then you are poor a/o the implementation date.

— CrustySMSgt

I think if the test is dramatically different they should just freeze testing for 6-12 months. During this time, all units would keep doing PT, etc. — but they would just shift their focus to preparing people for the new test. Seems like a pretty fair solution to me.

— Postmodern Airman

I voted Quick and Easy. Hell, we are supposed to be able to pass a PT test anytime, anywhere. Commanders test people all the time at their discretion.

— AF Chief