Is everything a "Weapons System?"

[HerkDerka]

You really can't fault the BCE for calling it a weapon system - it's just the buzzphrase passed down from the Air Staff and was probably prep'd to him by PA who was doing the story. He's not the first to coin the phrase and won't be the last who has to say it.

Just because it's a buzzword doesn't mean you have to act like a robot. Buzzwords are trite and make people sound like they're covering for a lack of knowledge on the subject.

If you don't have the airfield - you don't have Air Superiority.

No one is disagreeing on that point.

HD

[Lord B]

but yeah, calling everything Weapons Systems is pretty gay.

Hence the title of the topic.

Going and calling the guy a tool misses the mark completely.

I am going to have to go ahead and disagree with you there. (Bill Lumbergh style) The guy is simply a tool for calling the "runway" a weapons system. PA prep or not. Unfortunately, this issue isn't an isolated one and this will not be the last we hear of this misused phrase.

[Guest Hueypilot812]

Just because it's a buzzword doesn't mean you have to act like a robot. Buzzwords are trite and make people sound like they're covering for a lack of knowledge on the subject.

2. Well said. Why don't we just call things the way they are anymore instead of having to make sh!t up to impress everyone.

[08Dawg]

I will probably get flamed for this, but I see this as a continuation of the "False Warriorization" of the USAF. Everyone is a warrior, everyone is part of the fight, blah, blah, blah. We will call you a "warrior" to make you feel special. It begins by letting cadets in ROTC and the Zoo wear BDUs/ABUs to class and in BMT by letting everyone play with guns and pretend they are the Army for 2 weeks. There are very few actual warriors in the USAF. Finance, MPF, Services, Med Group and the like are not warriors. They are support and have no reason or excuse to wear ABUs during they day; I think they should be in Blues. Logistics, Sec. Forces, Combat Comm and of course the Aircrew, USAF Spec. Ops and PJs who get shot at daily downrange are the warriors of the AF, IMO. I can understand letting those who work, sweat and get dirty for a living wear the ABUs, coveralls, bags but that is a different thread altogether.

Shack. While I don't think letting people wear utilities is such a bad thing (blues suck to wear for one day out of the week, let alone five), I am continually disgusted with the "I am a Warrior!!" mentality. Dudes pushing paper, or making sure I'm getting paid, or fixing my email account for the third time, are not "warriors". They are important in the overall scheme of things in allowing the guys who actually are doing the bomb dropping and missile shooting to focus on their jobs, but there's nothing warrior about it. I would go so far to say that I myself am not a warrior, nor do I really want to be called one. I'm an airman, like a Marine is a Marine or an Army grunt is a soldier or a Navy dude is a sailor. But there's no, or at least there shouldn't be, any warrior to it. Let the guys toting rifles and humping packs down in the mud be the warriors, because that's what they are. While I might be fighting a war from FL370, I'm not a warrior, and the dude sitting stateside handing out towels at the gym certainly isn't.

Just my .02

Edited September 10, 2009 by 08Dawg

[sky_king]

Because OPRs/EPRs sound better with buzzwords.

Edited so I could spread my synergysm a little more.

Edited September 10, 2009 by sky_king

[Mike Honcho]

Edited so I could spread my synergysm a little more.

And that synergism was a force multiplier of equitable benefit to all of us.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

[Guest Alarm Red]

Never mind that 'MWS' is tossed around like it even means anything at all - most of the time when people talk about MWS they actually mean MDS (mission design series). I'm not sure the USAF even uses the term MWS at all anymore (could be wrong on this though).

[Guest Sandlapper]

Never mind that 'MWS' is tossed around like it even means anything at all - most of the time when people talk about MWS they actually mean MDS (mission design series). I'm not sure the USAF even uses the term MWS at all anymore (could be wrong on this though).

Yeah, you're wrong:

F-15E, C-17, Predator = MWS

T-1, T-38 = Non-MWS

C-21, C-12 = OSA

Your "functional" at AFPC puts you in a bucket based on your MWS...even if you're a T-6 IP at Laughlin, in the eyes of AFPC, you're still a "C-130 guy", for example. Career-wise, it's common knowledge that being an IP/EP in your MWS matters for promotions, etc. It's just how it is.

[Guest Cap-10]

Not sure what an ETT or PRT is, but you illistrated my point exactly (I think). I don't think anyone would argue folks actually in the AOR getting shot at and dodging IEDs aren't fighting the fight and could be called warriors...like our combat truckers. However, a lab tech in a rear base is not a warrior, whether that rear base is in the AOR or not. But then I don't consider what I do as qualifying me for warrior status either. So, using my criteria, I'll tread all over that sucker.

PRT: Provincial Reconstruction Team

EET: Embeded Training Team

Cheers,

Cap-10

[Toro]

Actually, he's right. MWS is an outdated term - it's still commonly used, but officially the term is now MDS.

[afnav]

They called the CAOC a weapon system so that FRED wouldn't have the worst MC rate anymore.

Thin client sucks balls.

[Guest zookrider]

I am a weapons system of one.

[HerkDerka]

I am a weapons system of one.

Stop giving them ideas! I can just see that phrase being coined by the man. Think about it, it's Army shit with an AF spin. Just like our uniforms.

HD

[Guest CA]

I just left a weapons system in the 2nd floor mens room.

Edited September 16, 2009 by CA

[Dead Last]

If you don't have the airfield - you don't have Air Superiority. We made a conscious decision back in the 1960's/70's to sacrifice robust landing gear on our aircraft in exchange for lighter and more maneuverable airplanes in contrast with the Soviets who very much decided to buy jets with more substantial landing gear to compensate for crappy runways. The trade-off was much more specialized and strict standards for airfield pavements or you tear gear off jets - and obscenely expensive Autobahn-airfields in West Germany capable of landing jets in case the Soviets cratered our bases. So unless you have jump-jets (USMC & RAF), you're screwed without a runway.

We'd just send a Herk in with the runway repair/build team then life would be good again.

Cheers

[Guest zookrider]

Does this mean the FOD walkers get leather jackets?

[Chip]

2. Well said. Why don't we just call things the way they are anymore instead of having to make sh!t up to impress everyone.

It's an addendum to the existing acronym afi. Instead of making more acronyms that are all spelled the same and mean something different, we're coming up with different ways of referring to the same thing.

[okienav]

THe new AF portal is now a combat support system; while not a weapons system this is still in the same vein. AF Portal Global Combat Support System GCSS-AF

[skinny]

I think it's always been named that, but with the updated site, it's more noticeable. I agree though, I'm typing this post on a weapons system. I just hope I'm current. Call it whatever you want, Falconer, NIPR. To me it's just a Dell and the Portal is just another website.

Is it just me or is it strange that a few days after they pulled the funding for AF Crossroads and GI Mail, AF Portal gets an update?

[capt4fans]

Need to change the linky. Now it's talking about the PT test. Now way to see said douchebag and his reference.

[Muscle2002]

Thread revival

Apparently, even WE are weapons systems!

Maintaining the Human Weapons System

Edited January 3, 2010 by Muscle2002

[nsplayr]

Oh my dear lord...muscle2002, that link was amazing. We all deserve the full text here (with the best lines bolded for your reading pleasure)

Commentary by Chief Master Sgt. Rob Tappana

Command Chief, Air Education and Training Command

12/30/2009 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It all started during an Elmendorf staff meeting. Seeing a major I didn't know, I introduced myself. In reply she spoke a sentence that still echoes in my mind.

"Hello Chief, I'm Major Jennifer Halter, I am a crew chief on the human weapons system."

Puzzled, I asked for clarification and she replied, "I am a crew chief on the human weapons system; I maintain the critical emotional guidance system of our most valued asset." She was our new mental health officer.

I paused to consider her unique point of view. Was I a "weapons system?" Did I want to be one? The answer to that question was a quick "yes." In the Air Force we revere our weapons systems. When I enlisted there were seldom pictures of people on the walls but there were always pictures of our weapons; aircraft, missiles, satellites, etc. We are a technological force and we love our stuff.

Afterward, I looked out my window and pondered the F-15s on the flight line. Each is a complex system of systems requiring dedicated and skilled maintenance. Each is assigned a crew chief and assistant crew chief responsible for ensuring the jet is always in good repair. No pilot steps to a jet until the crew chiefs prepare it and verify it is ready to go.

"Sir/ma'am, the jet is ready. All systems are green. If you handle it properly it will take you out and back and you'll both be ready for tomorrow's mission."

The crew chiefs have access to specialists in the "back shops" to provide specialized maintenance beyond their expertise. Avionics, fuels, weapons, etc; whatever help is needed to ensure the performance and safety of the jet. On occasion, we will even take a jet off the line and send it for depot-level maintenance, an upgrade of its major systems. This allows us to fly our aircraft for 50 years and more.

I realized there are many parallels between Airmen and aircraft. I am, we are, a complex system of systems. We require constant and competent maintenance. Who is my crew chief? I believe I am. Basic maintenance; food, rest, exercise, education, is my responsibility. My supervisor, teammates, wingmen, and chain of command serve as assistant crew chiefs. Sometimes though, I need more maintenance than my supervisor and I can provide. This is where the "back shops" play their role in maintaining our human weapons system.

Should my spiritual compass go askew, our chaplains will help me "re-center" it. The professionals at the dining facility are here to ensure I am properly fueled. Should I suffer a physical breakdown, the medical group is standing by with specialists for all my physical systems. If I find my thrust-to-weight ratio off and my performance slowing, I can go to the Health and Wellness Center and the fitness center for a fitness tune up. Just as we have preventative maintenance for aircraft, we also have preventative maintenance for people including routine performance feedback, proper diet and exercise and preventative health assessments. We even have depot-level maintenance. After all, what is professional military education but depot-level maintenance for the leadership guidance module of the human weapons system?

Too often, we treat our equipment like treasure and our people like labor. We often work our people as hard as we can and then are disappointed when they break down or fail. We don't do it intentionally but it still works out that way. I'd like to serve in an Air Force where our human weapons systems are as revered as our other weapons systems. One where each member works as hard at maintaining themselves and their people as the weapons and processes they are responsible for. One where no Airman is sent on the day's mission until his/her supervisor checks him/her over and ensures he/she is mission-ready.

"Sir/ma'am, I've checked out Airman Snuffy. All systems are green. If you treat her right she'll perform well and be ready for tomorrow's mission when we need her."

There is no reason we cannot become more capable as we age. It all boils down to how well we maintain ourselves and our teams.

I owe Major Halter a great deal. She reshaped how I look at maintaining myself and my team. She was right; we are the Air Force's most valued asset. America provides us with her most precious treasure, her sons and daughters. It is up to us to ensure that each reaches their maximum potential and provides their best to our mission of defending the nation. I am Chief Master Sgt. Rob Tappana. I am a crew chief on the human weapons system, and so are you.

How's the koolaid tasting these days Chief? Seriously...at a certain rank to they force you to write this kind of crap?

[brabus]

This has even surpassed reflective belts. This is now the absolute gayest thing anyone in the AF has done. I hate shoes so very, very much.

[zrooster99]

"Sir/ma'am, I've checked out Airman Snuffy. All systems are green. If you treat her right she'll perform well and be ready for tomorrow's mission when we need her."

Can I treat her (Amn Snuffy) like I treat the jet?

[DFRESH]

Can I treat her (Amn Snuffy) like I treat the jet?

Ride her hard and put her up wet.