The new head of the Air Force’s largest air combat command has placed a strong emphasis on upholding standards within the ranks.
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, who took charge of Air Combat Command (ACC) in late February, mandated that all wings conduct thorough inspections of their airmen over the course of a month.
This directive aims to ensure compliance with the latest dress, grooming standards, and adherence to customs and courtesies.
Each wing must also verify that personnel records are up-to-date, especially regarding medical and religious exemptions.
This broad inspection is a response to Wilsbach’s concerns about a noticeable decrease in adherence to these standards among troops.
He emphasized that being part of an elite, all-volunteer force involves sacrificing some personal freedoms to maintain high standards of conduct and appearance, which are fundamental to the military identity.
The directive, issued in a memo on June 10, requires wing leaders to report their findings by July 17.
This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance readiness within the Air Force, as the service prepares for potential prolonged conflicts with adversaries like China.
According to an ACC spokesperson, unit-level inspections are a standard procedure to ensure that high standards are consistently met.
The recent update to the Air Force’s appearance standards in February included several changes aimed at improving recruitment and retention.
For instance, policies now permit neck tattoos.
Despite these updates, pictures often circulating on social media suggest some airmen might not be fully complying, showing instances of improper uniform wear or non-regulation haircuts, prompting criticism from within and outside the Air Force.
The ACC oversees over 260 sites globally, including 28 wings.
Its areas of responsibility cover providing fighter jets, intelligence-gathering aircraft, cyber warfare specialists, and other resources to operational commanders across various theaters, including North America, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
High standards within the Air Force aren’t a new focus. Just a year prior, Chief Master Sergeant JoAnne Bass also highlighted the importance of strict adherence to standards.
In her memo, she warned that declining standards could lead to decreased readiness and damaged credibility of the service.
Her concerns extended to seemingly minor infractions, such as unauthorized nail polish or incorrect uniforms, which she suggested could have larger implications for military effectiveness and readiness.
The broader implication is clear: maintaining rigorous standards isn’t merely about appearances or minor details.
It’s about ensuring that the Air Force remains capable and prepared to meet significant global challenges, especially with the rapid expansion of competing military forces like those of China and Russia.
This vigilance in maintaining standards is seen as a crucial part of staying competitive on the global stage.
Moreover, leaders within the ACC are expected to show moral courage in addressing and correcting any deviations from these standards.
The idea is that allowing minor infractions to pass unchecked could ultimately pave the way for larger issues to arise, thereby compromising the overall mission readiness of the Air Force.
Air Combat Command’s focus on these inspections reiterates the necessity of maintaining a disciplined and ready force.
As part of this initiative, ensuring that personnel comply with every aspect of service standards—from grooming to conduct—is deemed essential for both internal cohesion and external operational effectiveness.
