Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Department of the Air Force Updates Policies, Procedures to Recruit for the Future

March 6th, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force is committed to recruiting talented and qualified individuals, while retaining the experienced Airmen and Guardians currently serving.

Throughout the upcoming months, a Barriers to Service Cross-Functional Team, championed by Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin, is examining existing policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the service members needed for the future.

Created to rally various department stakeholders, this cross-functional team was charged to research, plan and execute these changes quickly, cut through bureaucracy, with the modern American in mind.

“America’s Air Force and Space Force rely on access to our nation’s extensive, geographically and demographically diverse talent,” said Alex Wagner, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “To remain competitive, both with the private sector and our fellow military services, we are re-examining and updating our approach to talent sourcing and management—and that requires constant review and re-evaluation of our accession policies and ensuring that any changes are consistent with those high military standards required for mission accomplishment.”

This approach became a reality when various stakeholders realized these opportunities would need supporting policy, guidance, resources, and legal authorization. Additionally, the team is currently executing a comprehensive policy review to identify existing requirements that disqualify many potential Airmen and Guardians from serving and are irrelevant to warfighting.

“While we met our active-duty recruiting goals last year, record-low unemployment rates and steadily declining familiarity with the U.S. military today leaves us uncertain whether we can achieve our goals this year,” said Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. “We are starting to see some positive results of our training program, policy changes and our enhanced marketing efforts, but military recruiting will remain a long-term challenge.”

One of the leading barriers currently being tackled is the increased prevalence of hand and neck tattoos among America’s youth. Previously, Air Force policies permitted ring tattoos, although they were limited to a single band on one hand. Now, in addition to the ring tattoo, a single tattoo is authorized on each hand not exceeding one inch in size.

Additionally, one tattoo on the neck is authorized not exceeding one inch in measurement. The neck tattoo will only be placed behind a vertical line at the opening of the ear orifice around the back to a vertical line at the opening of the other ear orifice and includes behind the ear.

Hand, arm, leg, neck, and ring tattoos can be exposed and visible while wearing any uniform combination. Chest and back tattoos will not be visible through any uniform combination or visible while wearing an open collar uniform.

Tattoos or body markings anywhere on the body that are obscene, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and/or supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. The updated policy is here.

Additional items senior leaders are looking to modernize are:

– Accelerating Naturalization at Basic Military Training (Will apply to the Air Force and Space Force)

– Reinstating the Enlisted College Loan Repayment Program (Air Force only)

– Adding additional funds to Initial Enlistment Bonuses (Air Force only)

– Alignment of the DAF’s Accession Body Fat Composition Standard with OSD Guidance (Will apply to the Air Force and Space Force)

More information on policy and accessions changes will be published when available.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Department of the Air Force Updates Policies, Procedures to Recruit for the Future

Ask SSD: “Where Can I Get A KCRF Patch?”

March 5th, 2023

Short answer to this one. These days, the only way is to purchase one from my friend Dave at Mojo Tactical in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since most people don’t make it go Honolulu regularly, he offers them in multiple colors via web sales.

Posted in Ask SSD, KCRF, Morale | 6 Comments »

Configure Your OPTIO Helmet by Ulbrichts

March 5th, 2023

Ulbrichts GmBH is an Austrian helmet company. They’ve introduced a feature in their website to configure your own configuration of their OPTIO helmet system.

www.ulbrichts.com/protection/en/products

Posted in Helmets, International | Comments Off on Configure Your OPTIO Helmet by Ulbrichts

New York ANG Supports Canadian Arctic Exercise

March 5th, 2023

RESOLUTE, Nunavut, Canada (AFNS) —

The New York Air National Guard’s 105th and 109th Airlift Wings partnered with Vermont Army National Guard and Canadian Armed Forces to support Exercise Guerrier Nordique, Feb. 22–March 31 in the Canadian Arctic.

The 109th AW, Stratton Air National Guard base in Scotia, New York, deployed two LC-130 Hercules aircraft and 60 Airmen to Resolute Bay in Canada’s northern Arctic territories to act as tactical airlift support for the Canadian exercise.

Vermont Army National Guard soldiers will be transported to Resolute Bay, Nunavut, on a C-17 Globemaster III from the 105th AW, Stewart ANG base in Newburgh, New York. From there, teams will forward-deploy to establish remote camps.

The LC-130H is the largest ski-equipped aircraft in the world, capable of landing on ice and snow in polar environments. As the only unit to fly the LC-130H, the 109th AW provides support to scientific research stations in Antarctica and Greenland.

Among the 109th deployers are the 109th’s Polar Camp Skiway Team — personnel trained to establish a remote camp in extreme cold — and build a ski landing area supporting the unit’s LC-130H aircraft. The PCST used specially equipped snowmobiles to lay out the landing zone for the larger American LC-130Hs.

The team works with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 440 Squadron, which flies the Twin Otter ski-equipped aircraft to establish ski landing areas.

In the past, Guerrier Nordique has operated as a training exercise for emergency response and domestic operations in extreme weather in Northern Canada.

The Vermont Army National Guard, which includes a mountain warfare battalion, has participated in the exercise since 2012.

This year, the Guerrier Nordique exercise focuses on combat capability and lethality in temperatures that stay below zero all day during the training period.

“While elements of the Vermont Guard and Canadian Armed forces will be conducting training, the role of the 109th AW is as a real-world tactical airlift,” said Chief Master Sgt. Ron Jemmott, the senior enlisted leader for the wing’s maintenance squadron and a member of the PCST.

“Our job is to establish the ski landing area as a lifeline for the guys out there training,” Jemmott said.

Once established, the remote camp and ski landing area will provide multi-national ground forces with tactical support via the 109th’s LC-130Hs.

This can include flying supplies and personnel to and from the exercise site and aeromedical evacuation if needed, Jemmot said.

“The exercise will culminate in a mock overland assault of an airfield 100 miles away, wherein Canadian and American soldiers will utilize snow machines and vehicles — capable of traversing the arctic terrain — to travel, assault and secure the airfield,” said Lt. Col. Matt Sala, a pilot with the 109th AW and officer in charge of the PCST during Guerrier Nordique.

“Our job is to use skills we have built over years of operating in the Arctic and Antarctic to provide the real-world tactical support to enable citizen-soldiers from Canada and the U.S. to develop similar abilities through exercising their role in possible arctic combat operations,” Sala said.

Canadian Armed Forces and Vermont Army National Guard personnel will deploy to the exercise area, establish their own remote camp and train in arctic combat and survival techniques.

“Exercises like this illustrate the growing strategic importance of developing American and allied capabilities in the Arctic as interest in the region is scaling up around the world,” Jemmott said.

“When adversaries like China and Russia are beginning to operate more often there, it is time for us to work with allies and other agencies to increase our individual capabilities as well as our interoperability so we can compete in the future,” Jemmott said.

By SSgt Madison Scaringe and MSgt Jamie Spaulding, New York National Guard

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on New York ANG Supports Canadian Arctic Exercise

GA-ASI Announces Reimagined Blue Magic Belgium for 2023

March 4th, 2023

Bigger, Better Industry Innovation and Funding Conference on May 10Includes Lockheed Martin Ventures and A6K

SAN DIEGO – 02 March 2023 – On May 10, 2023, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) will host the latest iteration of its “Blue Magic Belgium” event. This year’s event, which will be held in Charleroi, Belgium, near Brussels, will again bring together Belgian businesses and aerospace industry leaders. But this year’s event will grow to include more companies and a broader base of technologies that will vie for capital investment. Joining GA-ASI this year will be Lockheed Martin Ventures and Belgium-based technology facilitator A6K.

“We want to build on our successful Blue Magic concept to foster a collaborative environment for technology ideation and add even greater value to our suite of products and to advance our thrust towards information dominance,” said Brad Lunn, Managing Director-Strategic Finance at GA-ASI. “For this year’s event, we will broaden our concept by bringing in additional partners and ideation space. We will hear technology pitches, a lively panel discussion and host a networking event where participants can meet with other high-tech businesses and leaders to see if their capabilities can be leveraged in new and useful ways.”

Areas of focus for Blue Magic Belgium 2023 will be Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Autonomy, Advanced Materials, Sensors, Advanced Manufacturing and Space.

GA-ASI held its first Blue Magic Belgium event in 2019, with subsequent events held in 2020 and 2021. Since the inception of BMB, GA-ASI has commenced work with a broad range of Belgian businesses, including AeroSimulators Group; Airobot; ALX Systems; Coexpair; DronePort; Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division; ScioTeq; SABCA; Thales Belgium; and ST Engineering. In 2020, the Belgian Ministry of Defense announced that it will acquire GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft.

Businesses interested in participating in the BMB 2023 event should visit
www.ga-asi.com/blue-magic-belgium-2023 for additional information and event registration. Deadline to submit pitch applications is March 27, 2023.

Posted in International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Announces Reimagined Blue Magic Belgium for 2023

Pritzker Military Museum & Library to Host Annual “On War Military History Symposium” April 13-14

March 4th, 2023

Dr. Craig L. Symonds to receive the PMML’s 2023 Literature Award at Symposium

CHICAGO, IL (March 2, 2023) The Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) will host its annual “On War Military History Symposium” on April 13-14, 2023, at its headquarters located at 104 S. Michigan Avenue. The PMML will also present Craig L. Symonds, Ph.D. with the 2023 PMML Literature Award. The Symposium will examine the history, health, and future of the All-Volunteer Force (AVF) under the theme of “The All-Volunteer Force Turns Fifty: Past Successes, Future Challenges.”

The Symposium kicks off on Thursday, April 13, at 3:00 p.m. with a discussion of the theme, “Those Who Serve in Today’s All-Volunteer Force.” Panelists will touch on the social, cultural, and economic implications, past and present, associated with the draft and AVF. Panelists include Colonel (USA) Jaron Wharton, Ph.D., Military Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Kenneth O. Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army; Adrian R. Lewis, Ph.D.; David B. Pittaway, Professor of Military History, University of Kansas; and Major General (USA Ret.) Dennis Laich, author of “Skin in the Game: Poor Kids and Patriots.”

Following the panel discussion, Dr. Symonds will be presented with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s 2023 Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. The Literature Award serves to recognize a living author who has made a significant contribution to the understanding of military history, including military affairs. Dr. Symonds is a Professor Emeritus of History at the United States Naval Academy where he taught for 30 years, including a four-year term as History Department Chair, and is the author of 17 books. He is decorated with many awards, including the Academy’s Teacher of the Year Award, Navy Meritorious Service Award, and Researcher of the Year Award.

“We are proud to award the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s Literature Award to Dr. Symonds,“ said Pritzker Military Museum & Library Founder, Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired). “While he is deservingly decorated with many awards, Dr. Symonds’ profound collection of books merits recognition from the PMML. His distinguished work and dedication to not only examining history but also to teaching it to the next generation must be acknowledged.”

Presentation of the Literature Award will be followed by a cocktail reception and seated dinner. Keynote speaker, Major General Johnny K. Davis, will discuss the transformation of the army’s recruitment process and how the Army is leveraging its greatest asset: its people.

On Friday, April 14, attendees will enjoy three panel discussions, along with a continental breakfast and lunch. The first session begins at 9 a.m. and covers civil-military relations and civic engagement in the AVF environment. Panelists will address the influence of the civil-military gap on democracy and America’s ability to maintain national security. Panelists include Isaiah “Ike” Wilson III, Ph.D., President of the Joint Special Operations University; Colonel (USMC) Eric Reid, Director of the Marine Corps Talent Management Strategy Group; Carrie A. Lee, Ph.D., U.S. Army War College, Chair of the Department of National Security and Strategy; and Risa Brooks, Ph.D., Allis Chalmers Professor of Political Science at Marquette University.

The second session, “National Security in an Increasingly Technology-Dominated World: Populating the Military Forces,” will begin at 10:40 a.m. This group of panelists will explore how modernization and technology have impacted the force structure and those who serve in an all-volunteer environment. This session’s panelists are Krewasky A. Salter, Ph.D., President of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library; Colonel (USA Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson, Past Distinguished Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William and Mary; Lieutenant Colonel (USA) Keith Carter, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the US Military Academy & Director of the Defense and Strategic Studies Program; and Jackie Schneider, Ph.D. (USAF Res.), Hoover Fellow and an affiliate of the Center for International Security and Cooperation.

The final session begins at 1:25 p.m. and addresses “Partner Perspectives: How America’s Allies Man Their Militaries.” This panel will explore how universal service, selective conscription, and other recruitment systems address the contemporary security environment, alongside the implications and applicability of these models for the United States. Panelists include Gil Barndollar, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow at the Catholic University of America’s Center for the Study of Statesmanship; Hitoshi Kawano, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at the Department of Public Policy at National Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Japan; and Max Z. Margulies, Ph.D., U.S. Military Academy, Director of Research at the Modern War Institute and the Defense and Strategic Studies Thesis Program Director.

“This All-Volunteer Force (AVF) On War Symposium is significant because it will help further a long overdue discussion about the way we man of our national military force at a time when our national security is challenged,” said Pritzker Military Museum & Library President, Dr. Krewasky A. Salter. “To maintain our nation’s security we must maintain a strong military force. What is the best way to do that has been debated almost from the beginning of the AVF 50 years ago this year. To help us all be better informed as American citizens, this symposium will cover all angles and viewpoints from how should we recruitment, to manning high tech 21st century systems, to discussions associated with how allied countries approach this same challenge.”

The Symposium will take on a hybrid format, welcoming in-person and virtual participants. Tickets are available for both attendance options. Learn more about each panelist and register by visiting the Museum & Library’s website.

Posted in History, Press Release | 2 Comments »

The Long Wait Is Over: Vietnam Veteran to Receive Medal of Honor

March 4th, 2023

WASHINGTON — The White House announced retired Army Col. Paris Davis will receive the Medal of Honor for his acts of bravery as a commander during the Vietnam War.

President Joe Biden will present the award to Davis during a ceremony at the White House Friday.

Davis commanded American Special Forces as well as an inexperienced South Vietnamese company against a large North Vietnamese force June 17-18, 1965. His tactical leadership allowed the company to gain an advantage and surprise the enemy.

Davis was wounded in the initial assault, but he continued to push forward, killing several enemy soldiers.

Following a counterattack from the North Vietnamese and facing intense gun fire, Davis led a small group of Soldiers as they destroyed locations defended by the enemy.

Davis then regrouped with his company and ordered air strikes on the enemy. The North Vietnamese, however, launched another attack with increased numbers. Davis was again wounded but managed to hold off the enemy.

Noticing two of his Soldiers seriously injured, Davis disregarded his own safety and went to save them. He was shot in the leg as he pulled the first one to safety.

Davis went back to get the second Soldier and drew heavy enemy fire. He crawled 150 yards and was hit by grenade fragments, causing multiple wounds. He didn’t let that stop him and was able to get the Soldier to safety.

After rescuing both men, Davis directed the helicopter extraction of the wounded but refused it for himself. He continued to fight the enemy until his entire company made it out safely. He then remained on the battlefield to coordinate the final aerial and artillery attacks, ensuring victory.

Davis saved the lives of multiple Soldiers during the battle and led his company to victory over a much larger enemy force. He was awarded the Silver Star for heroism.

Now, after nearly six decades, Davis will receive the nation’s highest award for military valor.

By Christopher Hurd, Army News Service

Posted in Army, Guest Post, History, Veterans | 2 Comments »

Saab Receives Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Order from Lithuania

March 3rd, 2023

Saab has received an order from Lithuania’s Defence Materiel Agency for Carl-Gustaf® ammunition. The order value is SEK 145 million and deliveries will start during 2024.

The order is placed within a framework agreement initially signed between Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, which allows Lithuania, together with Latvia and Estonia, to place orders for Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons and ammunition during a ten-year period.

“We are pleased to receive an additional order from Lithuania and are ready to continue to deliver our world-leading ground combat capabilities to the customer,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

Proven to deliver results on the battlefield, the Carl-Gustaf provides the effectiveness soldiers need. The wide range of ammunition types available for Carl-Gustaf makes it flexible and able to handle any situation on the battlefield, whether it is to destroy an armoured vehicle or structure, or illuminating the battlefield during night-time operations.

Posted in Contracts, International, Munitions, Press Release | Comments Off on Saab Receives Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Order from Lithuania