The experts are out there, and the Air Force reserve components want to find more of these civilians for career fields that require unique skill sets. Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, the new director of the Air National Guard, believes he can help make that happen.
“We all, in America, have a challenge with our youth — as a metric, a third of our youth is eligible to join the military,” Rice said in an interview with Air Force Times July 26. “That’s a problem for us in America … that [some] people just can’t get through the barriers. My goal over the next few years is to streamline some of that process, to be easier, faster, get the best out of our communities to build on the diversity of what we have for people, as well as help those who have trouble getting in.”
It’s about understanding the individual’s background and then translating that into military terms, Rice said. For example, military leaders believe that one hot career field, cyber, would benefit tremendously by finding interested civilians and getting them into the field as quickly as possible.
It’s asking, “How do I fast track them through training to get them off to the tip of our spear to operate?” Rice said. “Those are some of the initiatives I’m working hand-in-hand with the Air Force on to develop those skill sets already resonant in our communities and in our kids to get them into service.”
Air Force Times chatted with Rice about his vision for the Guard’s evolution, frequent overseas rotations for more units, and budding career fields for new recruits. Comments have been edited for clarity and brevity.
