Air Force Doctrine Podcast

On this episode of deciphering doctrine, I sit down with doctrine analyst Bob Christensen and discuss just what is this thing we call doctrine. Bob’s extensive experience as a doctrine analyst spans over two decades, making him the ideal candidate to inform our listeners of the uniqueness of doctrine. Bob touches on several nuances of doctrine, explains the difference between policy and doctrine,...

In this third episode of Lesson Learned in Doctrine, I invited Dr. Josh Sipper, Professor of Cyber Studies at Air Command and Staff College, back to discuss the way operations in the information environment (OIE) in Ukraine are highlighting changes in the character of war that will eventually shape future doctrine. Our conversation explores a range of topics to include lessons learned in utilizing...

In this episode of our Deciphering Doctrine series, we interview Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) Jason Sells on the origin and future of the multi-capable Airman (MCA) concept. Chief Sells has been involved with the creation and development of the MCA concept since its inception and currently leads the Air Force’s MCA development working group at Headquarters Air Force. Discussion items include the...

In the second episode of "Lessons Learned in Doctrine," our panel examines the role of Air Power in the period leading up to World War II and discusses how these lessons can be applied to the context of our current return to great power competition (GPC). The guests on this episode are Dr. Richard Mue, a Professor at the USAF School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS) at Maxwell AFB, Alabama...

In this first episode of our new series, “Lessons Learned in Doctrine,” we examine the application of Air Force doctrine during the operation to withdraw personnel from Afghanistan in August of 2020. Key insights include increased friction due to undefined command relationships and a degraded ability to communicate and trade data, ultimately preventing the establishment of a common operating pictu...

In this episode, we talk with Colonel Anthony Sampson, the Air University Cyber Chair and Air War College Instructor, and Mr. KC Brooks from the LeMay Center on transitioning from a two-decade conflict in the middle east to great power competition (GPC). The group discusses the mindset and training transitions required by military members and planners accustomed to operating in a permissive enviro...

In this special edition episode, we interview Naval Postgraduate School Professor Emeritus Dr. John Arquilla as a kick-off event to our first bi-annual Inspiring Doctrinal Innovation essay contest. The contest is open to all Department of the Air Force personnel. It offers the top paper a cash prize and publication opportunities for up to 20 quality papers for discussing how a specific USAF operat...

In this episode, we host Dr. Joshua Sipper, Professor of Cyber Warfare studies at Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL. He currently runs the operational track of the cyber specialization to include courses on cyber ISR and cyber electromagnetic warfare. Before ACSC and the AF Cyber Warfare College, he worked at the LeMay Center and has a background in doctrine development. The group d...

This week we discuss mental health, along with the services available to Airmen & Guardians, with a unique perspective from a medical provider. Capt Aaron Morrison, a clinical psychologist, stationed at Kirtland AFB, NM, sat down to talk about when someone should seek help, removing the stigma with mental health services, and discussing the range of care options provided to active-duty members and...

Join us this week as students of Squadron Officer School interview Maj Samory A. Abdul-Raheem to discuss Multi-Capable Airman (MCA). Maj Abdul-Raheem provides unique insight into how his team was involved in establishing MCA training for a unit in PACAF from the ground up, the challenges they faced, and what integrated MCA training may look like for future Airman. Visit https://www.doctrine.af.mil...

Join us this week as students of Squadron Office school interview CMSgt Kerry Thompson (42d Security Forces Squadron, Maxwell AFB) and Mr. KC Brooks (LeMay Center). The panel discusses ACE as it applies to Security Forces Airmen and identifies areas where defenders will need to focus in preparing for operations under the ACE scheme of maneuver. Visit https://www.doctrine.af.mil/ to access AFDP 3-1...

Join us this week as students of Squadron Officer School interview Maj Samory A. Abdul-Raheem to discuss Multi-Capable Airman (MCA). Maj Abdul-Raheem provides unique insight into how his team was involved in establishing MCA training for a unit in PACAF from the ground up, the challenges they faced, and what integrated MCA training may look like for future Airman. Visit https://www.doctrine.af.mil...

Join us this week as we sit down with Lt Col Justin D. Settles, Deputy Director of the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) to discuss Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and China’s reaction to its development. Further topics include the link between Command and Control (C2) and Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO), the difficulties of logistics operations in ACE, and how ACE will impact Airman of al...

Join us this week as students of Squadron Officer School interview Dr. Jeffrey M. Reilly to discuss Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO). They define JADO, cover its importance to current and future Airman, how it differs from concepts used in other services, and the path towards JADO joint doctrine. Visit https://www.doctrine.af.mil/ to read AFDP 3-99 Joint All-Domain Ops, other USAF doctrine publi...

In this inaugural episode of Deciphering Doctrine, our host, Captain Mary Belviso, interviews Major General William Holt, Commander of the LeMay Center. They discuss some of the latest updates in Air Force operational doctrine: Air Force Doctrine Publication 1, The Air Force; emerging doctrine. Doctrine Note 1-21, Agile Combat Employment; and other ongoing rewrites. They also discuss why Airmen sh...