Improving the Effectiveness of Air Force Squadron Commanders Assessing Squadron Commander Responsibilities, Preparation, and Resources
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C O R P O R A T I O N Improving the Effectiveness of Air Force Squadron Commanders Assessing Squadron Commander Responsibilities, Preparation, and Resources John A. Ausink, Miriam Matthews, Raymond E. Conley, Nelson Lim For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR2233 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-0-8330-9945-7 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2018 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Preface A top priority for Gen David Goldfein, chief of staff of the Air Force, is to revitalize the squadron as the warfighting core of the Air Force. Concerns associated with revitalizing the squadron include understanding the major responsibilities and tasks of the squadron commander and how they vary by squadron; whether squadron commanders have adequate preparation, resources, and accountability mechanisms to fulfill their responsibilities; what gaps exist; what improvements can be made; and how the impact of these improvements can be measured. The present study used a variety of data sources and interviews with 75 squadron, group, and wing commanders to develop recommendations for how the Air Force can address squadron commander responsibilities, improve commander preparation, and monitor resources better. The research reported here was commissioned by the Director, Force Development, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, and conducted within the Manpower, Personnel, and Training Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE as part of a fiscal year 2017 project, “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Squadron Commanders”. RAND Project AIR FORCE RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF), a division of the RAND Corporation, is the U.S. Air Force’s federally funded research and development center for studies and analyses. PAF provides the Air Force with independent analyses of policy alternatives affecting the development, employment, combat readiness, and support of current and future air, space, and cyber forces. Research is conducted in four programs: Force Modernization and Employment; Manpower, Personnel, and Training; Resource Management; and Strategy and Doctrine. The research reported here was prepared under contract FA7014-16-D-1000. Additional information about PAF is available on our website: http://www.rand.org/paf/ This report documents work originally shared with the U.S. Air Force on May 9, 2017. The draft report, issued on July 28, 2017, was reviewed by formal peer reviewers and U.S. Air Force subject-matter experts. iii Contents Preface ...................................................................................................................................... iii Figures and Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi Summary ..................................................................................................................................vii Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................. xiii Abbreviations........................................................................................................................... xiv 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 Project Origin and Objectives.................................................................................................. 1 Project Objectives ............................................................................................................... 2 Research Approach ................................................................................................................. 2 Characteristics of Air Force Squadrons ................................................................................ 3 Making the Analysis Manageable ........................................................................................ 5 Data Sources ....................................................................................................................... 6 Interviews ........................................................................................................................... 7 Organization of This Report .................................................................................................... 9 2. Squadron Commander Responsibilities ................................................................................. 10 Sources of Information .......................................................................................................... 10 General Responsibilities in Air Force Instructions ............................................................. 10 Inspection-Related Responsibilities ................................................................................... 10 Additional Duties and Ancillary Training .......................................................................... 11 Commander Perceptions of Responsibilities .......................................................................... 13 Most Important Responsibilities ........................................................................................ 13 Responsibilities That Require Most Time .......................................................................... 14 Prioritization of Responsibilities ........................................................................................ 15 Ability to Delegate ............................................................................................................ 15 Elements That Interfere with Squadron’s Ability to Perform Its Mission ........................... 16 Commander Recommendations for Aspects to Change ...................................................... 17 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 18 3. Squadron Commander Preparation ........................................................................................ 19 Career Experiences ............................................................................................................... 19 Formal Course Preparation for Squadron Commanders ......................................................... 21 Squadron Commander Courses .......................................................................................... 21 Professional Military Education......................................................................................... 23 iv Commander Perceptions of Preparation ................................................................................. 23 Understanding of and Preparation for Squadron Commander Responsibilities ................... 24 Commander Training ........................................................................................................ 26 Perceptions of Previous Training ....................................................................................... 26 Utility of Additional Training ............................................................................................ 29 Networking Preparation ..................................................................................................... 30 Squadron Commander Previous Experience ...................................................................... 31 Commander Recommendations for Preparation ................................................................. 32 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 33 4. Squadron and Squadron Commander Resources .................................................................... 34 Resourcing Information Within Databases ............................................................................ 34 Personnel: Assigned versus Authorized ............................................................................. 35 Funding: Requested and Approved .................................................................................... 35 Perceptions of Airmen ....................................................................................................... 36 Unit Readiness .................................................................................................................