Air Force Officer Specialty Structure: Reviewing the Fundamentals

Abstract : Since its inception over 50 years ago, the Air Force specialty-classification structure has had only one major overhaul--in 1993. Yet, the Air Force has changed dramatically. It is smaller. Its people are more educated and experienced. Its missions have continued to evolve. Given the evolving missions, changing workforce, and changing nature of work, several senior Air Force leaders are asking whether the existing specialty codes provide the correct blend or combination (natural clusters) of specialties. Several representatives from RAND Project AIR FORCE were asked to serve as members of an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) Reengineering Working Group assembled by the Air Force to assess the clustering of specialty codes. In addition, PAF was asked to determine whether other classification changes might be warranted. This technical report presents those results by examining the current officer-classification structure while seeking to determine whether more fundamental changes are needed. The research began with an analysis of historical major changes in the classification structure. Later, the RAND team conducted interviews with Air Staff, major command (MAJCOM), and Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) specialty-classification personnel and users of the system, such as functional managers, assignment managers, and occupation analysis specialists. Additional information was obtained during briefings given by functional managers to the AFSC Reengineering Working Group. Historical documents, as well manpower and personnel data obtained primarily from Air Force manpower and personnel databases, were used to verify information received during interviews and briefings and to identify potential issues and extant patterns for comparative analyses.