The Honorable Alex Wagner, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi and Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna hosted a quality-of-life fireside chat at the Air Force Sergeants Association Summit 2024 in Houston, Aug. 13.
Each senior leader defined that the Department of the Air Force must address quality of life issues to win in today's complex warfighting environment. They also discussed various initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of military members and their families.
"Quality of life is really about setting conditions for Airmen, Guardians and their families to be successful," Flosi said. "It's foundational. We can't talk about readiness without setting those conditions right … It's an integral part of what each and every service member needs, and we're absolutely focused on getting it right."
During the fireside panel, Flosi touched on how the Air Force and Space Force have worked to institute policies and develop a culture that ensure Airmen and Guardians are highly focused and ready to compete, and how integral the quality-of-life of service members contributes to the quality-of-service the department needs.
Another key component each of the leaders talked about was holistic readiness, and how the department must recognize and address factors that could negatively affect service members' ability to be ready and prepared.
"We must be ready today," Flosi said. "We must continue to train, exercise, qualify, and certify more as a unit. This increases demand in garrison to make it necessary for us to learn our downrange mission without delay."
The three senior leaders emphasized the Department must have a new mindset that relies on the readiness and resiliency of Airmen, Guardians and their families to bolster the Air Force's and Space Force's ability to deter and, if necessary, win against a near-peer adversary.
"Our focus is on Great Power Competition … all that comes down to readiness," Wagner said. "How can you be ready if you're worried whether or not you have enough money in the bank account to support your family? How can you be ready if you're worried whether or not your kids are going to be taken care of when you're working full time?"
Wagner continued by describing how spouse employment opportunities and better childcare options are key areas for him and his team as they work on policies and programs that support military families.
He also talked about how the quality-of-life challenges Airmen face vary by location to location. For example, the department recently implemented Cold Weather Assignment Incentive Pay for seven installations and are working on other programs to help address and eliminate financial hardships Airmen and Guardians face.
The Space Force is also promoting the "Value of Service," and Bentivegna underlined how the Space Force Values and the Department of the Air Force's Holistic Health Approach are interconnected aspects that Guardians must maintain to reach their full potential, beginning from when they're basic military training trainees to life post-service.
"To become the best version of yourself, it is essential to prioritize your wellbeing," Bentivegna emphasized. "Maintaining balance and health across all pillars is crucial."
Bentivegna explained the transition from civilian to Guardian life is the initial stage where warfighters build the resiliency they need and prepares them for the challenges they may face later in their career. He also described that it's important for Guardians to embrace the Holistic Health Approach the service promotes because it directly contributes to the service's warfighting capability.
"We're cultivating a culture that encourages our members to strive for personal excellence, which ultimately translates to service readiness," he said. "This is a key aspect of our value proposition, as is the Guardian Experience that we're working to define - the essence of what it means to be a Guardian in the Space Force."
Both Bentivegna and Wagner spoke about the Space Force Personnel Management Act which will allow for Air Force Reservists in certain space-related career fields to integrate into the active-duty Space Force, allowing for both full- and part-time service options.
They both also highlighted how it both improves the warfighting capabilities of the service and incentivizes the personal growth and goals of Guardians.
As Bentivegna explained, "This approach not only helps us retain top talent by providing flexibility and options, but also streamlines our processes to reduce bureaucratic barriers. In doing so, we aim to create a more efficient and conducive environment for our members to thrive as Guardians."
Wagner added the act will offer the force the ability to retain people and develop skills within and outside of the Space Force that directly benefit the service.
"It offers the Space Force the ability to have a type of person who is not only able to prioritize important milestones in their life or challenges in their life … and then come back and bring those skills back into the force," Wagner said.
This panel highlighted recruiting efforts, spouse employment, and furthering the identity of what it means to be an Airman and a Guardian, but the resonating theme was that taking care of Airmen, Guardians and their families today and into tomorrow is what will make the Air Force and Space Force ready and capable in the face of pacing challenges.
