Pros And Cons Of Total Force Integration

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1. Total Force integration is necessary to mission accomplishment as the climate of war rapidly changes. This position paper will explain reasons the Total Force works. It will also present negative impacts that will be outweighed by the need for the Total Force.
2. Starting with some positive points on why the Total Force (TF) works for the Air Force. TF is comprised of USAF components Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Regular Air Force that at any time can be called to serve the nation as one uniformly trained force. SECAF stated “The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve provide the nation a vital capability that is functionally integrated and operationally indistinguishable from the active force”.1 This uniformity provides multiple sources to pull from to fulfill mission requirements. Many USAF aviation missions (such as alert) are filled by ANG and USAFR aircrews allowing for flexibility; even stretching to contingency operations.2 The TF provides a much more diverse work force by leveraging the Citizen Airmen and Active Duty point of view. These personnel still have a “…propensity to serve and still want to be part of that Air Force community. [They …show more content…

Some negative effects of the TF are the costs to the American people and role ambiguity. As budgets remain tight for military spending there must be clear rationale to keep expensive forces at a time of peace.4 The budget for Air Force Reserve fiscal year 2013 was $4,831.0M dollars; this money could be spent in other areas or reallocated to active forces that accomplish the mission year round.5 Another issue facing the TF is role ambiguity, as stated by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh “We simply do not have the ability to oversee the individual readiness [and] force management of part time airmen, personnel development and force support issues related to the Air Force Reserve.”6 The forces still have difficulty funding and presenting capable forces for specific skillsets within the

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