The Vanishing Education (Record) of an Officer
Abstract
For Years, Possessing an advanced degree had a significant impact on an Air Force officer's promotion potential. In January 2005, however, the Air Force took steps to change that mid`mind-set-set. New Air Force policy states that 'advanced academic degrees will no longer be a factor in the promotion process." First, and foremost, the Air Force introduced a new, businesslike, 'just-in-time" force-development approach that seeks to tailor education to current job needs. Key to that new policy is a changed educational paradigm: if officers need additional education or training for their jobs, the Air Force will arrange it--and they will get it. Coincidentally, the Department of Defense (DOD) is gradually shifting to a new education policy of its own. The department realizes that if the United States is to prevail against jihadist extremists and other terrorists, then far greater understanding of different human behavioral patterns, cultures, politics, histories, languages, and religions become essential. TO fight the continuing global war on terrorism, the Pentagon has begun to transform its relatively broad education policy to focus more on these "soft" disciplines and push especially hard to develop linguists. For the Air Force, these changes suggest that the expertise of a culturally savvy foreign-areas specialist fluent in a particular language could one day influence the course and direction of an air campaign, which in turn could help save American coalition, or civilian lives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADP023957
Entities
People
- Chris J. Krisinger
Organizations
- Air University