Transformation in today's Air Force

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wayne M. Frost
  • 610th Air Control Flight commander
"Transformation is a process that shapes the changing nature of military competition and cooperation through new combinations of concepts, capabilities, people and organizations that exploit our nation's advantages and protect against our asymmetric vulnerabilities to sustain our strategic position, which helps underpin peace and stability in the world." -Transformation Planning Guidance, Office of Secretary of Defense. 

Transformation in the Air Force has been swift in an ever-changing battlespace. As we fight a new and increasingly adept enemy, we have to be ready to change and bring our capabilities to bear in any environment. Transformation has been occurring in the Air Force for many years and has become an integral way of how we do business. There are overarching reasons for us to transform, to include remodeling a post-Cold War military into a versatile force that can handle unconventional warfare while still being able to handle pre-existing, traditional threats. Another reason to transform is to exploit the rapid development of technology to allow us to be on the leading edge. The importance is to understand that transformation is a way for us to perform our mission better, quicker and with more lethality. 

Perhaps you feel you are being told to "do more with less." Your dedication, with management at the individual level focusing on improved concepts and practices, will foster better procedures, which will foster reduced workloads. At first, it may not be clear to you what you need to focus on and how you can impact the transformational capabilities in your specific duties. One place to look first, especially with the upcoming Unit Compliancy Inspection, is whether you are compliant with the standard. The answer is an easy one to see; it is either yes or no. 

Standards are the benchmark for measuring performance. As you perform your daily tasks you must ensure you are following the appropriate guidance to ensure you meet standards. When you perform a task, ask yourself, "Did I meet the standard?" There may be times when you ask that question and the answer is no. There may be a valid reason why you didn't meet the standard. Your next actions will dictate whether you transform the Air Force or whether you disregard the standard. 

The process of making the U.S. Air Force the best in the world is further enabled by every action you perform. Individual integrity is one of our core values; it is not just a statement, but something you should live by. Integrity will help you indentify when you can't meet standards and to not perform the task that shouldn't be done, especially if it can't be done in accordance with the standard. Many feel they will get in trouble for this; however, you must understand your leadership demands an accurate picture of what is occurring with resources -- manpower, equipment, money and time -- to ensure they are apportioned wisely and efficiently. 

Transformation in today's Air Force is a way for us to perform our duties better across every spectrum of service. It may appear, at the individual level, you are "doing more with less," but in fact, you are expected to improve the way you do business. This is how the U.S. Air Force will prosper in the current period of transformation. The job needs to get done properly, and you can provide an immediate impact and reduce workload by having the integrity to identify shortfalls, transform policy and procedures, and "do it right the first time."