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When Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright received
the title of the Air Force's most senior enlisted Airman less than a
month ago, he instantly became responsible for advocating the best
interests of more than 398,000 total force enlisted Airmen and their
families.
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March 2, 2017 - Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright speaks about leading Airmen at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida. (U.S. Air Force photo
by Scott M. Ash)
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Wright shouldered that responsibility as he testified
before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
regarding the Air Force’s quality of life March 8, 2017.
“The ultimate source of air, space and cyberspace combat
capability resides in the men and women of the U.S. Air
Force,” Wright said. “We must put them first as they face
the challenges inherent in serving in the profession of
arms.”
During the hearing, Wright updated the
subcommittee on the welfare, readiness and morale of Airmen.
He answered questions on specialty credentialing, critical
infrastructure projects, concerns within the Defense
Department school system and the Exceptional Family Member
Program.
Wright said, in order to meet global
demands, resource emerging requirements, and repair and
sustain the force, the Air Force must increase its
active-duty personnel from 254,000 to 321,000 by the end of
2017.
“We are the smallest Air Force that we’ve ever
been, and there are many challenges that come with the
high-ops tempo and the multiple deployments to the many
places we help defend around the globe,” Wright said.
“That’s why the increase we’re trying to get to is
critical.”
Pay and compensation uncertainties are
also cause for concern, as the current fiscal year’s
National Defense Authorization Act seeks changes to
financial benefits – specifically basic allowance for
housing.
“This would reverse nearly 20 years of
deliberate legislative action to ensure service members are
appropriately compensated for their service, and that their
salaries remain competitive with private-sector
professionals,” Wright said. “While we remain mindful of
current budget pressures across the Defense Department, cost
savings needs to be tempered by the need to retain our
talent, which is truly a national asset.”
The Air
Force must also focus on its child care and spouse
employment challenges.
“We continue to explore
opportunities to strengthen our force,” Wright said. “While
some initiatives are force wide, others are more targeted,
but all have the same objective – to provide commanders with
the most well-trained, deliberately developed Airmen and the
most resilient Airmen and families.”
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alyssa Gibson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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