From the Security Forces Directorate

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Written by John W Probst

Category: Guardmount/News

Published: 11 July 2019

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What We Hold Sacred Part 2

By BGen Andrea D. Tullos

It’s been nearly two years since I wrote about “What We Hold Sacred” as Defenders. Since that time we’ve been busy reconstituting our forces, reflecting on what the new National Defense Strategy demands of us, and reconnecting with our heritage. We’ve had tremendous support from our Air Force leadership who inspire us every day to enhance our capabilities as leaders of the Air Force’s ground combat forces and who have invested in getting us more ready and lethal in ways I’ve not previously experienced in my time in uniform. We’re three years into our effort to reset our foundation. Recently, Chief Hartz and I got to bring together over 350 Defenders – Squadron Commanders, Chiefs, and Colonels – at our Worldwide Symposium to take stock of where we are, discuss what’s coming next, and revisit what we hold sacred in light of what we’ve learned about ourselves over the past few years. AFSFA has been a partner with us throughout the journey, helping us bring back Defender Challenge, connecting us with our veterans and retirees who shared lessons learned on the 50^th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, and tapping your feet and your keyboards to share your enthusiasm for our new hip-hop video and song “Get in Step.” I want to share some insights into the now expanded list, level the understanding of “What We Hold Sacred,” and ask that you continue to debate who we are, what makes us who we are, and what we must never let go.

If you refer back to that August 2017 article, you will see that we presented attributes of our defense forces that today’s Defenders and Air Police of 1947 would recognize – guardmount, small arms expertise, day-night/all-weather force, dress and appearance, and post briefings. We had some lively debates about why this is true, what this means for us day-to-day, and whether much has changed over the decades. We all agreed that technology has evolved, but the Defender employing all that technology has amazingly consistent DNA. The conversation really turned to what we wanted to bring into the discussion; there is more to be held sacred.

The first and foremost addition to the discussion is the beret. Seems so obvious. We identify each other and ourselves by the blue beret. We earn it, are privileged to wear it, and when someone discredits it, we take it away. We wear it with pride and teaching a new Defender the process of shaping, shaving, sculpting, and perfecting the wear is a ritual we embrace as part of our duties to train our newcomers. For those who wear the beret, seeing another Airman in the beret is like seeing family, a member of our tribe. It means you are one of us. When the public sees our beret, it is a symbol of trust, safety, and security. We are the visible embodiment of “our nation’s sword and shield…its sentry and avenger.” We must always hold that trust sacred.

Many young Defenders don’t know our beret crest was used to identify the Major Command to which you were assigned. When the Defensor Fortis flash replaced the command crest, we became not only “Strong Defenders” as the Latin translates, but “Defenders of the Force,” a force unified that protects all, with a nod to the Air Force’s 1041^st Security Police Squadron (T) and Operation SAFESIDE’s heritage patch as reflected in the enlisted flash. Uniforms will come and go while the beret will remain. We wear Kevlar helmets out of necessity. During those times, the beret is guardedly set aside where it will remain “on watch” for that moment when routine operations, good order and discipline are restored and we may return it to its rightful place.

Speaking of good order and discipline – we returned many times to our Security Forces General Orders during the past few years. Perhaps your first lesson from technical training echoes in your mind – “I will take charge of my post…” As the youngest, newest Defender, you are expected to be a leader, regardless of circumstance…”I will report all violations of orders…” On the calmest, sunniest day, just when you thought time could not slow any further and that you might really die of boredom, “I will sound the alarm…” Our general orders are as relevant today as they were in 1947. Never before in my years have I participated in as many conversations with other flag officers, most not Defenders, on how our National Defense Strategy demands “mission command” – the ability of our most junior Airmen to understand Commander’s intent and act in the absence of leadership direction, in the fog of war, perhaps in the absence of communications capabilities. We train our Defenders to do that from Day 1. Our general orders are the essence of mission command. We must hold them sacred.

The next one will make you scratch your head. Then it will hurt. I promise the veterans and retirees I’m not making this up. I added “chow” to the list out of frustration for what I believe we (the Air Force writ large) let go and what I believe Defenders, if not the entire Air Force, need to take back. Chow. You read that correctly. Chow. It’s an affectionate term. Breaking bread with one or more Defenders. Getting in out of the hot or cold. Getting off post and getting a load off your feet. It’s a lost art. This is not simply because I cringe when I see a Defender eating on post or when I drive through an entry control point and smell french fries. This is because chow is leaders taking care of their team. Chow is supervisors engaging with subordinates. Chow is where you hear what’s going on in your Airman’s life. It’s where you figure out where they are really from; how it’s possible that they put ketchup on their scrambled eggs, mayo on their french fries, and Texas Pete’s on everything else. It begins the debate over whether yeast donuts are better than cake, beans belong in chili, whether corn is a vegetable, and all those other great debates that generally result in cold silence until turn in. It doesn’t have to happen at the DFAC but it should. At a table of our own. With a weapons rack to the side and with a Defender sitting at the table in a “Use of Force” posture that says “sit at your own risk” while the rest of the team goes through the line. We have flight chiefs who truly have no idea how to conduct chow relief because they never had to do so. They are not even sure what we’re asking. That’s not a critique – it’s a fact. We need to bring it back. I don’t care if our Defenders eat at the squadron, at the fire station (now there’s a thought), at a day room in the dormitory, or in a heritage room (now you’re talking), but they deserve 20 minutes off post to break bread with another Airman, get off their feet, and out of the elements. Chow is a cherished ritual we should not have let go. I believe we did. Time to take it back. The second most dreaded thing to hear over the radio after “remount” used to be “call in your box lunch order.” Clearly, some Airman did something so heinous that the Flight Chief suspended chow relief. You did not want to be that Airman. We need to figure this out. May the Chaplain help whoever says we don’t have enough manpower to do chow relief. This is my charge; hold it sacred, and bring it back for our Defenders.

May the debate over what we hold sacred continue and may it never end. I learn something from our Defenders every day, whether in uniform or civilian, active, guard, or reserve, and whether they are veterans, retired, or still serve. I consider myself a lifelong learner, so keep it coming. You are making all 38,000 of us better, every day.

USAF CoS to Speak at 2019 AFSFA National Meeting!

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Written by John W Probst

Category: Guardmount/News

Published: 15 March 2019

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USAF CoS to Speak at 2019 AFSFA National Meeting!

If you have never attended an AFSFA National Meeting this year’s in San Antonio would be a great place to start! The 33rd annual AFSFA National Meeting is shaping up to be one to remember. So let me see if I can entice you to join us this September with a general outline.

As in the recent past, we will be based at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Antonio Airport, 37 NE Loop 410 (at McCullough), San Antonio, Texas, 78216 from 25-29 September 2019. You can make reservations by calling (210) 366-2424 and be sure to identify yourself as being with the “Air Force Security” to get the meeting rate. You can also go online at: http://tinyurl.com/y5k2rov4 . The room rates are guaranteed up to 25 August 2019, after that they may not be available.

The room rate is $119.00 plus tax, for single, double, triple or quad occupancy in each room and includes a full complimentary hot breakfast, free parking, free Wifi and complimentary airport shuttle service as well as service within a three-mile radius of hotel. Individuals may also book addition days up to three days before and three after the meeting dates (25-29 Sep) at that rate but you must call the reservation phone number listed.

The 33^rd AFSFA National Meeting registration packets will be mailed and emailed out on 15 July. Members who receive the Security Forces Magazine in paper will get their registration packets in the mail. Those who receive the magazine by email will also receive their registration packet  but electronically.

The relatively new Wednesday small batch tour on 25 September for 14-28 folks, will include a guided tour of the five San Antonio missions to include the Alamo, a patio lunch at the Institute of Texan Cultures followed by tasting room tour of a local whiskey distillery.

Thursday morning options include: the early morning golf tournament or the three, free professional security training seminars worth continuing education credits. Certificates will be provided and the seminars are free to members and Defenders in the San Antonio area. You will want to arrive Wednesday evening for either event.

Members will start picking up their registration packets in the hotel lobby Thursday at 1600 and the Meet and Greet Social will start at 1800.

Both Friday and Saturday morning General Membership Meetings typically run from 0800 to 1200ish hours and are open to members, spouses and guests. Following the Friday morning session there will be a tour to Camp Bullis and we will celebrate the Security Forces Museum’s 40^th Anniversary with a brief retreat and presentation and the buses will get folks back to the hotel around 1800. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon are open with no events planned.

Our Annual Banquet is on Saturday evening and starts at 1800 and is full of great food and unbeatable fellowship. General David L. Goldfein, Air Force Chief of Staff, has accepted our invitation to be our banquet keynote speaker.

At 0800 on Sunday we gather and pause to remember our Fallen Defenders and then … we reluctantly say our goodbyes until the next year.

Throughout most of the weekend there is a hospitality room in the hotel for all to relax in and enjoy … also known as the “war story room” and you want to make sure you don’t leave home without your coin! But just in case you did or you want to start your Christmas shopping early or you need something new for your “I love me wall” …. the AFSFA Country Store and most of the chapters will have lots of memorabilia for sale.

Hope to see you’all there!

AFSFA Scholarship Program

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Written by John W Probst

Category: About Us

Published: 27 June 2019

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Security Forces Foundation Scholarship Funds

The Security Forces Foundation Scholarship Funds filing period starts 8 July and runs until 31 August 2019. Applicants will be able to open and download the application forms during that period.There are two funds awarding a total of six (6) $500.00 grants yearly.

The Charles J. Heubusch Scholarship Fund

The Charles J. Heubusch Scholarship Fund was established in the memory of Colonel (ret) Charles J. Heubusch a 27-year veteran Air Police and Security Police officer who felt strongly about the importance of caring for the young enlisted Security Police force always stressing the importance of education.

This scholarship fund is open to all enlisted, active duty, Security Forces members in the rank of E-6 and below. Their spouses are also eligible to compete for the two (2) Charles J. Heubusch Scholarship Fund $500.00 grants awarded annually. Those pursuing education in accredited community, junior and four-year university programs are eligible for these grants.

CJ Heubusch Scholarship Fund documents can be downloaded here starting 8 July 2019.

Security Forces Foundation Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund is open to all enlisted Security Forces members of the total force (active duty, Air National Guard and AF Reserve) in the rank of E-6 and below. Their spouses are eligible to compete for the four (4) Air Force Security Forces Foundation Fund $500.00 grants awarded annually. Those pursuing education in accredited community, junior and four-year university programs are eligible for these grants.

Security Force Foundation Scholarship Fund documents can be downloaded here starting 8 July 2019.

The completed forms, both individual’s and commander’s, must be submitted by mail or as PDF files between 8 July and 31 August annually to:

AFSFA National Headquarters
P.O. Box 683
Helotes, TX 78023                 or                     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The selection panel for both funds considers all information provided by each applicant on the required forms. Award announcements will be released no later than 30 September annually through the AFSFA web site and personally to all award recipients.

All questions should be directed to AFSFA National Headquarters at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (888) 250-9876 or (210) 277-0448.