Next USAF Chief

Interesting stuff about the Air Force lining out who will be the next Chief of Staff.  My mentor blogs about this process and "picking on the Air Force" here.  AOL news has an article here.

Personally, I have met the current Chief, Gen. Norton Schwarz.  I have heard him speak twice on the Air Force mission and direction for the near future.  I have listened to him answer questions from staff officers, and students at the USAF War College.  I came away impressed by his forthright demeanor and agility in handling tough questions.  I came away less than enthusiastic about his seeming lackadaisical attitude about the specific needs of the Air Force and the cost-effectiveness of current Air Force programs.

I do, like Steve Saideman (mentioned above) find some of the language regarding what the AF is looking for in a new chief to be funny.  But, I recognize that a lot of the language game here is military speak for the purpose of feeding the egos of the generals within the USAF.   

• The ability to effectively advocate for Air Force capabilities and who is not apologetic for those capabilities;
• Someone who is not a "lapdog" to the SECDEF and simply does what the SECDEF says regardless if it is not the best way forward;
• Someone who understands that "jointness" requires four separate and distinct services, and that the CSAF role is to advocate for the unique benefits and capabilities that the Air Force provides for the nation;
• Someone who does not "go along to get along" thinking that is "jointness;
• Someone who can restore the innovative nature of the Air Force -- the last four years saw the chief eliminate those who pushed new ideas, concepts, and technologies in favor of "yes" men (and women);
• Someone who can get AF acquisition back on track and focus on cost-effectiveness, not simply cost elimination.

I find the statements about jointness funny, but credible.  Jointness does not mean giving up your identity for a mixed military force structure.  The Chief of the AF needs to recognize that fact and carry on.  Innovation was the realm of uniqueness in the USAF, it needs to be recaptured and that means getting rid of yes-men and women?  Not sure about all of this, but hope the guys and gals in Air Force blue get a new chief worthy of their efforts.