DID THE AIR FORCE LOSE THE PUBLIC OPINION BATTLE OVER GUARD AND RESERVE DEFENSE CUTS

Abstract

The recent announcement to cut manpower in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve by 5,100 and 900 billets respectively is a tough decision that the United States Air Force leadership believes is necessary in order to maintain a force that balances fewer overall personnel with a more capable and ready organization. However, many of the affected units and their representatives in Congress and the Senate disagree with the plan. In the weeks following the announcement, both sides used the media to try and convince the public that their proposed way forward is the best one. The opponents of the cuts are more effectively utilizing the media to draw attention to their cause and are outmaneuvering the administration in the war for public opinion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2012
Accession Number
AD1022106

Entities

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air National Guard
  • Aircrafts
  • Cargo Aircraft
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Force Structure
  • Governments
  • Maryland
  • Media
  • National Guard
  • Public Opinion
  • Public Relations
  • Social Media
  • Transport Aircraft
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting