Not knowing what the future holds for airmen is the No. 1 issue that Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said she hears about. “We will work through this uncertainty and [airmen] will continue to rise to the call with whatever we may ask of them, to include the missions … against ISIL,” she said on Sept. 15 in her opening remarks for the Spouse and Family Forum at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in National Harbor, Md. “Taking care of our people” is a top priority, and it can be a “pretty tricky business when it comes to a declining budget environment [and] uncertainty,” she said. In addition to working with Congress, making policy decisions, and telling the Air Force story, “the favorite part of my time has been the opportunities that I’ve had to get out and about and see our Air Force in action,” said James. She said Active Duty members, reserve forces, and their spouses give her great optimism about the future.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.