Backtalk: Air Force leaders must spend wisely

[CommunityEditor]

Air Force Secretary-designate Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will need all the tools they can muster to keep the service running and to rejuvenate our aging aircraft fleet.

One tool that they won’t have is money.

By official estimates, your government in fiscal year 2009 will spend $482 billion more than it collects in revenue. No political candidate is in favor of raising taxes, and few Americans support the idea. The Air Force cannot expect to receive additional funds, nor can it save by any further reductions in personnel.

The Air Force, like the nation, is cash-strapped.

Some high-priority projects can’t wait. Troops must have a new air refueling tanker. The need for a new combat rescue helicopter may be a little less urgent, but not by much. Whatever decision is made about the future of the F-22 Raptor and the fighter force, it’s going to be costly.

There’s simply no money left for projects that are neither urgent nor important. The Joint Cargo Aircraft, called the C-27J Spartan by industry and C-27B by the Air Force, might be nice to have, but the Air Force doesn’t really need it.

In late 2005, the Air Force elbowed its way into the Army’s turf by demanding a role in the Future Cargo Aircraft — a legitimate Army-only program to replace a small fleet of aging transports. To make certain the program would flourish, Air Force leaders quickly shaped plans to place JCAs in Air National Guard units, which have powerful friends on Capitol Hill. Needed or not, the JCA can fill a gap that opened up when some Guard flying missions were lost under the Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

The Air Force argues that it needs a light, twin-engined tactical transport, smaller than the C-130J Hercules, to haul supplies “the last tactical mile” to reinforce ground troops. The argument that a new transport must be able to land close to the front lines is an old one: It was used to justify short-field landing capabilities in the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III that are almost never used. We do need short-field capability, but the C-130J provides it nicely.

One of the many meanings for the word “spartan” is “practicing self-denial.” But there is nothing spartan about this Spartan: The JCA is the recipient of a $2.04 billion contract for 78 aircraft. Yes, it would be nice to have a small tactical transport. But these are lean times — spartan times — and the Air Force simply doesn’t need the JCA enough to justify purchasing it.

As one step toward restoring cost-control to the Air Force, the JCA should be given back to the Army. We can fly “the last tactical mile” with the C-130Js we have already.


Article: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_spend_082508/

[VFFSSGT]

Why don't we have money... ?

Well, I can't begin to imagine the millions that have been completely wasted on plasma and LCD televisions for "training." They typically end up collecting dust or watching the news. Then add the cable bills on top of that; why is every building paying for cable when we are suppose to be working not watching television?

Then there are the contracts that "save" the Air Force money. There is no way many of these contracts are truly saving money, especially when entire career fields are contracted out in the sandbox paying at least $100K/yr sometimes up to $180K/yr a head and the service member trained to do the job is sitting at home station twiddling their thumbs...:rolleyes:

Everyone waits at least 30 minutes to an hour at medical clinics and MPF's (beyond appointment times) to receive services. I can't begin to think how much lost production time that would be added up across the bases.

We probably "spend" $100 to buy a $5 pack of pens (Government Purchase Card is a headache). That probably adds up into the millions as well.

There is also the time and money wasted on........guess what......awards! Between the time and actual wood or plastic we are losing millions Air Force wide.

And I am just getting started...

[Wingman Leader Warrior]

Piece of cake.

- Four years mandatory service (civil or military) for all Americans after completing high school unless deferred for college based on entrance exams (no recruiting/advertising required)
- Remove AAFES and DECA contracts (PX, BX, NEX, Commissaries)
- Get rid of the fitness centers--everything you need to stay in shape is attached to your body as it interacts with the ground.
- Trash all the TVs and radios.
- Get rid of color printers...everything can be done in black and white.
- Pools? Golf Courses? NASCAR? Horse stables?
- Staff cars--what's wrong with POVs?
- What about all this travel for meetings...what's wrong with picking up the phone?
- Retirement? Sheesh! You're getting free training!!! Get a job you lazy &^$!

After all, this is the military we're talking about...the government doesn't exist to kiss your *&^...get to work, earn your freedom, serve your country and shut up!

Sorry for the sarcasm...just can't help myself.

[MajesticThunder]

Solved . :rolleyes:

GPC holders are advised items listed below do not exceed the monetary single purchase limitation of $3K.

GPC holders are advised card use is restricted to their particular Command or Activity's contracting authority.


http://www.modelairplanefactory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=208


http://www.modelairplanefactory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=362&zenid=7cm7vm2or8f8nje3d73kt3i4n5

[CarolinaSarge]

Solved . :rolleyes:

Government Impact Card holders are advised that items listed below do not exceed the monetary single purchase limitation of $2,500.00 as a procurement method.

Impact Card Holders are advised that card use is restricted to their particular Command or Activity's contracting authority.


http://www.modelairplanefactory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=208


http://www.modelairplanefactory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=362&zenid=7cm7vm2or8f8nje3d73kt3i4n5


It's no longer the IMPAC card FYI, it's called GPC. It hasn't been IMPAC for 6 years now. And the dollar threshold is $3K.

And to the one that said GPC was a headache, try having to process an entire contract action for a box of pens. That $5 box of pens just became $505 because of the $500 "administrative" cost that is estimated to process a simple contract action. Oh by the way you have to wait a month for your pens to get delivered

[technomage1]

A lot of the waste that I see is at command level. I love trying to save money by reusing paper protectors and the like - then watching all my hard earned savings go down the drain when the new base commander has to have a spin class in the base gym.

To top it all off, once he leaves the bikes gather dust in a storage area until they are eventually DRMOd.

If the AF truly wants to save money, then we need to start looking hard at stuff like that, not taking it out on the lower ranks (who don't really have the money to abuse anyway).

[Shrike]

I look forward to seeing a briefing, shown on one of my unit's numerous 42-50" plasma TVs, on how we need to be more fiscally responsible.

:rolleyes:

[ramprat]

wingman leader warrior , hit the nail on the head.
the af is trying to be a feel good "country club".
it the military not a rest camp!!

[ramprat]

money? ,,,money? why dont some times investigative reporter (you got any??) tell us how many
gulf stream, beech ,lear type aircraft used for transporting vips on boring holes to visit friends,
and have assigned for status symbols. aircraft + fuel + maint costs should be considered.
yrs ago anyone major or above in the nat guard had a beech C 12 assigned.

[DogPile12]

The TV sets are necessary due to the fluid international situation. Every bldg on every post or base should have reliable access to cable TV news.

[Shrike]

The TV sets are necessary due to the fluid international situation. Every bldg on every post or base should have reliable access to cable TV news.

I'm trying to decide if your post is meant to be tongue-in-check or serious.



If you're serious, then a rebuttal: on my base, anyone with a computer on the NIPRNET has access to cable TV through Cisco IPTV Viewer. This includes not only the AFN channels, but also Euro CNN.

Plus, exactly WHY should every bldg have access to cable TV news? Not that I think that's a very good reason for all the giant-ass plasma TVs I see everywhere, as very few of them are showing anything but .ppt's about the upcoming sports day, burger burn, or AFSO 21 initiative.

[VFFSSGT]

The TV sets are necessary due to the fluid international situation. Every bldg on every post or base should have reliable access to cable TV news.

I hope this is sarcasm...

[DogPile12]

No, I'm serious. In the 1980's and much of the 90's, we had state of the art work facilities with all of these wonderful features but no access to something as simple as CNN, which by then was updating the news faster than the intell agencies. You're wearing the uniform, so you really have a responsibility to keep abreast of current events that may soon impact you or your people directly. I watched the Gulf War briefings on a cheap portable TV that I went and bought and plugged into the wall at work. Pathetic. The internet didn't exist' at the time (and besides, can never replace cable news).

Those TVs that you guys see everywhere should be tuned to CNN or some other cable news outlet.

[VFFSSGT]

You are not paid to watch the news; you are paid to work. Anything you need to know will filter down eventually. Knowing what may or may not be going on only causes panic. The news is speculative and not an official source of information. The internet and email eliminated any "need" for cable news...

[Measure Man]

You are not paid to watch the news; you are paid to work. Anything you need to know will filter down eventually. Knowing what may or may not be going on only causes panic. The news is speculative and not an official source of information. The internet and email eliminated any "need" for cable news...

I think most places have a need to at least have the base channel access in their building...that is often how the commander communicates during emergencies.

Now, it doesn't need to be on a 52" Plasma...but you know, we are once again at the end of the FY and desperately trying to come up with stuff to spend money on!!

[10Man]

I have seen 3 new base commanders at my base during my time stationed here, usually the staff car is in immaculate condition. I have seen each new base commander get a brand new vehicle. What was wrong with the previous base commanders vehicle? Why not keep the previous commanders car? Don't answer this was a rhetorical post!:confused:

[Shrike]

I have seen 3 new base commanders at my base during my time stationed here, usually the staff car is in immaculate condition. I have seen each new base commander get a brand new vehicle. What was wrong with the previous base commanders vehicle? Why not keep the previous commanders car? Don't answer this was a rhetorical post!:confused:

Three words:

O-6

Beer

Farts.

[VFFSSGT]

I think most places have a need to at least have the base channel access in their building...that is often how the commander communicates during emergencies.

Now, it doesn't need to be on a 52" Plasma...but you know, we are once again at the end of the FY and desperately trying to come up with stuff to spend money on!!

I am sure you are being rhetorical, but I will be up the point, most if not all bases use the Network in addition to Giant Voice to broadcast emergency messages, which makes TV essentially obsolete.

If we have nothing better to spend money on to get the mission accomplished more effectively and efficiently we should push that back to the national deficit; however, I believe we could find something more worth while to spend it on...

[Measure Man]

I am sure you are being rhetorical, but I will be up the point, most if not all bases use the Network in addition to Giant Voice to broadcast emergency messages, which makes TV essentially obsolete.

Ever been to Korea?

That's probably the best example I could come up with.

You can't show the maps of contamination on the Giant Voice...or when you wake up after your downtime in your shelter.

Or after 2-3 days when you have different sectors in the 10ft rule and others not...

For all the other myriad of messages that come out without Giant Voice...

For the commander to come on and personally deliver any message...

Yeah...the computer network is there...hopefully. I can't back it up...but I suspect it is less reliable, and easier to attack, disable, or interrupt than cable TV.


If we have nothing better to spend money on to get the mission accomplished more effectively and efficiently we should push that back to the national deficit; however, I believe we could find something more worth while to spend it on...

A TV and free cable is not that expensive. OH, and god forbid people take a lunch hour and watch Mash reruns.

Maybe a better question is why every conference room and cubicle needs $850 leather chairs...hell, I even seen an FTAC NCOIC with a massaging chair!

[VFFSSGT]

Oh, I don't doubt there are exceptions; but I think you already said we don't need 52" Plasmas in every office. It should be an exception, not rule...

Cable is not free... I was GPC at one of my bases and paid the squadron cable bill. It was hundreds of dollars - you have to pay for every office in every building. Take hundreds and multiply it by how many squadrons there are on all the bases and I would imagine in nears at least a million a month...

I am with you on the chairs!!! There are some people pushing to get new furniture in the shop's offices right now and there is nothing wrong with what we have - it’s not all that old...


Those so worried about mass communication; here is an idea. Do away will all government cell phones and blackberries. Provide everyone a monthly allowance for cell services (designated commanders, etc get extra for blackberry service) and make individuals responsible for maintaining a cell phone and service. Everyone has a cell phone to begin with and most of us end up using it for work related purposes. Register your number with the command post and they can send a mass text message for certain warnings. This would alleviate the Air Force from maintaining and managing cell phone services and equipment. There is so much money wasted in managing cell phones right now... Not everyone will agree I'm sure and I am sure this idea can be improved on, but it is a start...

[Measure Man]

Oh, I don't doubt there are exceptions; but I think you already said we don't need 52" Plasmas in every office. It should be an exception, not rule...

Cable is not free... I was GPC at one of my bases and paid the squadron cable bill. It was hundreds of dollars - you have to pay for every office in every building. Take hundreds and multiply it by how many squadrons there are on all the bases and I would imagine in nears at least a million a month...

I am with you on the chairs!!! There are some people pushing to get new furniture in the shop's offices right now and there is nothing wrong with what we have - it’s not all that old...


Those so worried about mass communication; here is an idea. Do away will all government cell phones and blackberries. Provide everyone a monthly allowance for cell services (designated commanders, etc get extra for blackberry service) and make individuals responsible for maintaining a cell phone and service. Everyone has a cell phone to begin with and most of us end up using it for work related purposes. Register your number with the command post and they can send a mass text message for certain warnings. This would alleviate the Air Force from maintaining and managing cell phone services and equipment. There is so much money wasted in managing cell phones right now... Not everyone will agree I'm sure and I am sure this idea can be improved on, but it is a start...

Basic cable is free here...and at Osan it was. Maybe it's the overseas AFN thing...

[VFFSSGT]

Yeah, there is quite a bit difference in AFN and standard cable that is paid for stateside...

[Gunner007]

since the issue of waste is rolling hot and heavy, can someone explain how we saved money by putting a computer up at almost every MPF office for signing in? I mean was a clipboard and pen that expensive? How can we talk about saving money when we buy a computer just so someone can sign in?
As for the TV's, we have a few in my unit but 99% of them are deployment assests and only get used in offices when we arent packing them in ISU's for deployment. One FWA Tv i did find was located in the life support section hanging on the wall being used for NOTHING! It flashes slides of whos on duty in life support and pictures of the units helo's, thats it, all day long! You have to be kidding me? Like a paper duty roster would be to low rent for such a fine unit!!
If my unit wanted to spend wisely they would eliminate all the uncessary training requirements we have for flying that we will NEVER be called on to perform (rubber boat operations, deck qualifications etc...)! We arent the navy and we arent under AFSOC anymore so we have no real reason to keep pretending! We could save A TON of money in jet fuel alone just by cancelling those events.
We have cable but it is or at least was paid for with snack bar money last year and the year before. We have a Tv in the snack bar but its not plasma and its great for lunch breaks!
AIDB/IEU should be audited and ended ASAP! This whole JWOD thing is absolutel crap! Because an item is listed as JWOD it MUST be purchased through them and you are forbidden from buying that type item off the economy (toilet paper, office supplies etc...) Explain why a thumb drive at AIDB is 130$ and the same thumb drive at the BX is 25$? Why do we have to get boots from them when we were buying them for the last couple years from a civilian gear vendor for 20-30$ less a pair?
AAFES, i mean the mafia! If you want to open a business on their turf you have to pay uncle vito or they come by and shut you down and knee cap you! If your snack bar is profitable they either get a cut or shut you down! Who allowed this monopolistic mafia type organization to get this kind of power! Its ludicrous! The only thing cheap about the BX/commisary is the exchange brand stuff, everything else is cheaper at walmart or target!

[Gunner007]

Oh wait i forgot something...
Gas prices on base!!! Now AAFES doesnt pay federal taxes right? Since every gallon of gas has approximately 12-19 cents a gallon of taxes added to it off base, and the price on base is about the same as off base, sometimes higher, can someone explain to me where that extra 12-19 cents a gallon is going? Congress screwed us by taking their typical socialist view and limiting gas prices to within so many % pts of the local gas stations around the base. They said this was to help those poor local economies, never mind screwing the military worker who's pay doesnt change more than 3% a year! So now AAFES is charging the same as or more than the local gas stations but the extra money is all profit to them! Making that kindo f profit i should have a state of the art movie theater, putt putt course, go cart track, paintball range, modern BX & Commisary... but i have NONE of it. (modern at least)
Sorry... this post wasnt about military spending so much as military member spending... i got carried away LOL.

[ringjamesa]

Oh wait i forgot something...
Gas prices on base!!! Now AAFES doesnt pay federal taxes right? Since every gallon of gas has approximately 12-19 cents a gallon of taxes added to it off base, and the price on base is about the same as off base, sometimes higher, can someone explain to me where that extra 12-19 cents a gallon is going? Congress screwed us by taking their typical socialist view and limiting gas prices to within so many % pts of the local gas stations around the base. They said this was to help those poor local economies, never mind screwing the military worker who's pay doesnt change more than 3% a year! So now AAFES is charging the same as or more than the local gas stations but the extra money is all profit to them! Making that kindo f profit i should have a state of the art movie theater, putt putt course, go cart track, paintball range, modern BX & Commisary... but i have NONE of it. (modern at least)
Sorry... this post wasnt about military spending so much as military member spending... i got carried away LOL.

Actually, AAFES does have to pay tax on gas this article was on Mil Times a while ago;
"Do you know anyone not paying attention to gas prices? Many people are taking steps to reduce the amount of fuel they use.
According to the Department of Transportation, Americans drove 1.4 billion fewer highway miles this April than in April 2007 — a 1.8 percent decrease. That’s good news — except the drop means fewer gas-tax dollars are going to the Highway Trust Fund, used for highway construction and maintenance, according to transportation officials.
You’re paying 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline — 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel — just in federal taxes.
That has military exchange customers asking: Why isn’t the price of gas on military bases cheaper, if the military exchanges are exempt from taxes?
The exchanges generally do not have to pay federal, state and local taxes for merchandise they sell — except for gas.
By law — the Hayden Cartwright Act, 4 USC, Section 104 — the exchanges must pay taxes on gasoline. They also must pay other costs, such as underground storage fees. Just as with gas stations outside the gate, those costs must be folded into prices at the pump.
The higher the gas prices, the more complaints from customers to officials at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, AAFES spokesman Judd Anstey said.
At overseas installations, gas prices are based on the Energy Department’s four-week average.
In the U.S., the exchanges do surveys to set the price of gas — surveys of at least five service stations near the military installation that the local exchange officials have determined are its competitors. They set the price equal to the lowest price for each grade of fuel sold by those stations, Anstey said.
While the practice in the past has been to survey on a weekly basis, exchanges can do surveys more than once a day, exchange officials said. Granted, that’s probably not going to be to the benefit of the customer, the way gas prices are rising.
Anstey said officials started surveying more often because of the swings up and down in prices. “Customers were coming in and telling us about lower prices outside the gate,” he said.
“It all comes from the same place. We’re paying market prices for gas,” Anstey said. But AAFES will set the price below its cost, if necessary, to match the local market. Navy exchanges are not authorized to sell below cost.
Depending on how far you have to drive to a gas station on base, it may be cheaper to go to a civilian gas station, unless you’re going to be on base anyway."

[Gunner007]

I sit corrected my friend! I had not seen that article.

thank you

[zaurus]

It appears the AF will take over the C-27J mission as it should. The AF needs to get back into supporting the Army at all levels. Whether its with A-10, C-17, B-1, MC-12W, C-27J or with light tactical turbo prop aircraft. If the AF is to maintain air dominance, make it throughout the whole spectrum in the fixed wing business. As the fighter force is reduced, the AF has the capability in giving more support to the Army in new aerial fixed wing assets. The Army needs the best support the AF can give them.

[biddy1030]

Why don't we have money... ?

Well, I can't begin to imagine the millions that have been completely wasted on plasma and LCD televisions for "training." They typically end up collecting dust or watching the news. Then add the cable bills on top of that; why is every building paying for cable when we are suppose to be working not watching television?

Then there are the contracts that "save" the Air Force money. There is no way many of these contracts are truly saving money, especially when entire career fields are contracted out in the sandbox paying at least $100K/yr sometimes up to $180K/yr a head and the service member trained to do the job is sitting at home station twiddling their thumbs...:rolleyes:

Everyone waits at least 30 minutes to an hour at medical clinics and MPF's (beyond appointment times) to receive services. I can't begin to think how much lost production time that would be added up across the bases.

We probably "spend" $100 to buy a $5 pack of pens (Government Purchase Card is a headache). That probably adds up into the millions as well.

There is also the time and money wasted on........guess what......awards! Between the time and actual wood or plastic we are losing millions Air Force wide.

And I am just getting started...

I was pissed off when we got a brand new plasma over at the chow hall. A big 52" beast to do what you may ask....to show the menu for the day....it doesnt take a plasma tv to show a damn menu....another example is when the ORI team came here, they each got their own GOV, and the GOVs they got were F250 trucks. I dont see how having a beast of a GOV is neccessary.

[Mr. Happy]

Although the observations posted so far concerning frivolous expenditures such as plasmas, pens, questionable TDYs, and staff cars are valid arguments, I would argue these types of purchases are small potatoes in the big scheme of things when you consider the AF's budget was $144B this fiscal year. Sure it all adds up, but I would agree with the one poster who mentioned the fuel costs. The AF is the biggest consumer in DoD, and as we all know, the prices have soared in the last 5 years. Plus the economy is hurting right now, so we're feeling the pinch along with the rest of American society.

I believe implementing energy saving practices across an installation along with continuing research on synthetic aviation fuel and other alternative fuels is the way to go.

...but I do admit, if units have enough budget left at the end-of-year to buy plasma's and other crap not needed, then budget dispersment needs to be looked at closely and audited by the GAO to root it out.

[needmorecowbell]

I spend close to 20K each year for "sound support" (PA) equipment. What a waste. All those ceremonies. What a waste of time and money. I see it, all of them. Go drop a couple grand on a microphone for a wing commander who doesn't know how to hold it up to his mouth and talk in it. If you try to explain that to them they get all pissed because you point out that they are some what "retarded." Just yell and save the AF some dough. Or better yet just email whatever important crap you have to say or come out to each squadron and have a small ceremony.

I have been showing my leadership that it is illegal to use Gov't purchased equipment for years at the AF Ball, that I have to run sound for. So every year I have dump around 5k on just 1 event. Well someone dropped a bug in Legals ear and now they know its illegal. Its about time. Maybe everything should be ran through the legal office to get purchased.

Better yet I have to purchase a microphone instead of tools to fix radios. Shows you which is more important to leadership. A tool becomes useless and I can't get a replacement because we had to buy a microphone. then they wonder why we get written up by QA or UCI.

I see how much money gets dropped on Wing Protocol and the nonsense that happens there. I have heard the ridiculous requests by DV's when they come to visit bases. FWA!

[Bumble78]

The chair I am sitting in (because the newer one walked off when I was TDY) is an older model that squeeks, and is not the new uber ergo design. I talked with the FM about getting a nice chair I saw at the office supply store for just under $150, similar style but has a headrest, and they gave me the GSA book that the chairs were ordered from, because the GSA store here doesnt carry that model. I looked up the chairs in the office, just north of $600. WTF. A chair. I think I will keep my relic. [/rant]

[FCMVP#30]

We also waste tons of money with unecessary PCSes because people have been at base X for so long so they have to move.

Also waste a ton of money retraing flight crew on a new air craft every 2 to 4 years because we can't retain Airmen and Staffs and Techs in C-130's. So we spend close to a million to train individuals for c-5's and c-17 and then turn around and 4 years later spend another million to put them in 130's. And in some cases we've had people go c-141, c-17, and then c-130 in less than 10 years. And we wonder why we don't have money.

[Shrike]

I spend close to 20K each year for "sound support" (PA) equipment. What a waste. All those ceremonies. What a waste of time and money. I see it, all of them. Go drop a couple grand on a microphone for a wing commander who doesn't know how to hold it up to his mouth and talk in it. If you try to explain that to them they get all pissed because you point out that they are some what "retarded." Just yell and save the AF some dough

I didn't want to make a big OT post, so I started a new thread (http://www.militarytimes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1579833) based off of this comment.