The June recruiting numbers show a continuing downward trend for the Air National Guard that now spans five months. The Air Guard recruited just 75 percent of its goal of 1,036 airmen. Most of the media focus over last month’s statistics, however, is on the Army, which has now missed its goals for two months. In contrast, the Army National Guard recruited a few more than its goal of 5,338. The saving grace for the Air Guard continues to be its strong retention (98 percent for June), enabling an end strength of 99 percent. The active Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command both met their June goals.
In the face of Chinese war plans to disrupt U.S. command-and-control networks in the event of a conflict, the Air Force needs to focus less on its “connect everything” efforts and prepare its combat aviators to fight without a constant connection to higher-ups, according to a new report from AFA’s…
