The Air Force has eliminated 328 and revised 450 published regulations and instructions in the last 20 months. (Courtesy U.S. Air Force)
The Air Force has eliminated 328 and revised 450 published regulations and instructions in the last 20 months. (Courtesy U.S. Air Force)
Airmen salute during the national anthem at the opening ceremony of the Clear Sky 2018 exercise at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, Oct. 8, 2018. (DOD)
Airmen should soon have fewer unnecessary boxes to check and conflicting rules to mull over as the Air Force nears completion of an effort to streamline instructions across the service.
With four months left on a 24-month timetable, the Air Force has eliminated 328 published instructions and revised another 450, according to a Friday memo signed by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth O. Wright.
“The stack of eliminated publications now weighs 75 pounds, and it’s going to grow,” the memo stated, referring to the stack in Wilson’s office.
There are still 719 remaining instructions and regulations pending changes; 180 of those are scheduled for elimination, officials said in the memo.
The streamlining will mean fewer tasks, reduced checklist items and removal of duplicate instructions, among other changes.
Wilson announced the 24-month reduction of unnecessary Air Force instructions to allow “greater flexibility and mission focus,” during an April 2017 speech.
The 1,300 official instructions targeted for review were often outdated and inconsistent, breeding cynicism when airmen feel they cannot possibly follow every written rule, Wilson said during the speech.
