Gen. Carlson speaks at Wright-Patterson Enlisted Call

  • Published
  • By Mike Wallace
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, spoke at the Enlisted Call Monday. His 30-minute talk focused on three areas: reflections on work, wellness and what lies ahead. Then he answered questions from the audience. 

Carlson pointed out that Wright-Patterson "was a different kind of base." 

"This is still part of the Air Force, and you're the core of it," said Carlson. 

He added that the Air Force is in a "period of great transformation and change. There's incredible pressure on the budget because we're trying to fight and win a war, and at the same time, we're trying to recapitalize." 

"We can't fight and win the next war against the Chinese or whoever with the equipment we have today," said Carlson, referring to similar conditions in the 1980s. "We don't have Ronald Reagan as president today." 

He spoke of Presidential Budget Decision 720 that "took several hundred people out of headquarters and the base, and over 900 firefighters. In other words, the people leaving today won't be getting replaced." 

To assuage some of the difficulties following the cutbacks in people, he said, "We must do things smarter. We're interested in your ideas." 

On wellness, Carlson focused on helping one another. "Take care of each other. This is the most wonderful time of the year, but a time of great stress. There are relationship problems, money problems, problems at home and this is a depressing, emotionally draining time (in which) some people even take their own lives," said Carlson. 

"Make sure you're going to see the person you work with again on Monday morning," said Carlson. He also offered cautions on driving long distances in too few days, or not wisely using alcohol. 

On the future, Gen. Carlson said that the Air Force will have continued draw-downs and difficulty in getting career reservations. "We're in this war for a while, and more and more, the tasking is moving from 120 days (of deployments) to 179 days. That pressure will be on us." 

He concluded his talk by thanking the enlisted corps. "I'm proud to serve with you. Thank you for what you do for your country," said Carlson. "Thank you for allowing me into the Order of the Sword. That's something I've dreamed about." 

Gen. Carlson's talk was followed by questions from the audience. 

One person asked, "What is the financial gain for going to six months' deployment?" 

"None. The four months matches the maintenance cycles of our equipment better, but our cops, communications, medical, transportation people and people like that are being forced into the six-month cycle," said Carlson. 

Another questioned, "With base realignment and the base growing, what will this do for our medical care?" 

"We are going to grow, but maybe only 100 people will be military. There won't be a great impact on hospital care here," said Carlson. 

Another asked (in view of the preceding question), "Won't some agencies, like the chapel, be affected by more civilians?" 

"Maybe, but we won't be getting more chapel support," said Carlson. 

The next question, "In the past, civilians and officers were offered monetary incentives. Will we?" 

"You'll get the opportunity to cross-train. We've been successful in the past in keeping people who want to stay, but one black mark may mean that you're out the door," said Carlson. 

Chief Master Sgt. Jon Hake, AFMC headquarters, added, "We may ask you to do something other than your first Air Force Specialty Code." 

"There is a rumor that military people from AFMC are being looked at to be transferred to war fighting commands. Is this true?" another queried. 

"There currently is no initiative to move military people to war fighting commands," Carlson said. 

Hake then spoke, asking people to "never underestimate what you do to contribute to our ability to fight and win. What you do is vitally important to America." 

Hake added, "In airports, people will come up and thank you for your service. Then, they'll ask you what you do. Be ready to articulate it." 

He also spoke about the new performance reports, and how "making performance count" is still the goal. He answered a question about the training of officers on completing the new report by saying, "We kept (the part about) how we choose who should be promoted. We ask supervisors to identify who's truly above average. My advice: control the things you have control over." 

Hake also mentioned Airman Battle Uniforms and winter coats; announced that Air Force basic training will expand to eight-and-a-half weeks beginning Oct. 1, 2008, to include combat skills; and spoke about the Order of the Sword ceremony and the fact that Enlisted Call attendees "will have the opportunity to take part in a historic event." 

He then concluded the Call thanking Carlson's parents and Col. Colleen M. Ryan, base commander, for attending.