The White Falcon - 17.05.1985, Blaðsíða 2

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Continued from pg. 1
will not effect people on active duty or already
retired.
Unlike many civilian retirement programs, the
military retirement system is more than simply an
old-age pension program. It partially compen-
sates for the unique sacrificies inherent in a
military career, and is an essential factor in
keeping good people in the military.
The ability to retain trained people is cru-
cial to Air Force effectiveness. A recent de-
cline in retention rates, while watched closely,
was exaggerated by some people. Retention hit an
all-time high in 1983 and 1984, but we did not
expect it to remain there. While it has dropped
a few percentage points since then, we are a long
way from pushing the panic button. We feel good
about our ability to keep people. I don't expect
retention rates to change a great deal in the
near term.
On the other hand, during the first quarter of
the fiscal year we lost a lot of younger pilots to
civilian lire. While the second quarter did not
show that trend continuing, we are working to
stabilize pilot retention.
A key factor in retention is adequate compen-
sation. This year we are asking Congress to re-
lieve some of the financial burden related to
permanent-change-of-station moves. We believe a
family should not have to dip into savings for
directed PCSs. We are advocating realistic PCS
mileage allowances and increased household goods
weight allowances.
Without question, family members make sacri-
fices for the Air Force, especially when we
assign members overseas. More money has been re-
quested in the budget next year for Family Sup-
port Centers and we plan to add more centers in
future budgets.
Medical care is another concern to us all and
despite what's in the press, our medical service
equals or surpasses the care in the civilian com-
munity. We have had problems, but most of them
are administrative and not medical in nature, and
the surgeon general is working to correct each
one.
We've had similar administrative problems at
drug detection labs. Stringent legal requirements
have resulted in cases being overturned because
not all samples were fully controlled. That's
been fixed. There is no place in the Air Force
for drug users. They are going to be ushered out
of service as rapidly as we find them.
Overall, we all should be very pleased with
the quality of the force. People support the mis-
sion, and I intend to see that Air Force people
have modern, effective weapons and equipment to
do whatever we ask of them. One only has to look
as far as the B-1B, which has been a glowing suc-
cess story during the last four years. The pro-
gram is coming in within the projected cost and
about five months ahead of schedule.
Or, look at the Peacekeeper missle, another
excellent program. We've launched seven test
missiles and each one had exceeded test object-
ives and expectations.
To decrease the price of these weapons, we are
pushing for more contractor competition. The
fighter engine competition is a shining light in
that effort by saving millions of dollars and
providing a better engine. We're doing a great
deal of competition now and are looking for even
more and better ways to compete as a way to in-
crease efficiency.
At the same time, we are examining our contract
specifications. While we paid $7,000 for a C-5A
coffee pot, civilian airlines pay only $3,200 for
a simpler, but quite acceptable, model. There
may have been some overriding considerations
affecting the choice when it was made, but they
don't exist today. We will look closer at spec-
ifications to avoid paying too much or buying
"nice to have" equipment.
At the same time, we are very concerned about
the reliability and maintainability of many of
our weapons. If we cannot find a way to increase
reliability of a system, we will have to compen-
sate and make it easier to fix. We need more
maintenance people and operational people involv-
ed in the design phase of new weapons, and
engineers must listen better to the people who
operate and maintain the equipment.
In summary, we all know we have areas to im-
prove. But on balance, today's Air Force is the
best ever. We have new weapons, high morale and
the finest people we've ever had. You should
feel proud about being part of the Air Force. I
do.
NRS fund drive needs
volunteers for Radiothon
Story by J03 Elizabeth E. Rathbone
I'm Navy Journalist Dave Lilley ...
I’m Air Force Sergeant John Bernhartsen ...
I'm Navy Journalist Christina Jam's ...
I'm Air Force Sergeant Marsha Barnhart ...
These and many dther D.J.s will be heard 24
hours a day for up to a week. Why? It's time
again for the annual Navy Relief Radiothon.
As part of Radiothon '85, Navy Broadcasting
Service, AM 1485, will go on the air live from 3
p.m. ‘May 24 and continue with 24 hour non-stop
live broadcasting until a goal of $40,000 is met
or until 12 p.m. May 31.
Right not volunteers are desperately needed.
All you have to do is man the telephones when
pledges and bids are called in and help the D.J.s
during the 24-hour days. If you are willing to
donate your time, contact the radio department of
Navy Broadcasting at 4615. There will also be
more printed in next week's White Falcon.
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May 17, 1985 The White Falcon