A Step Forward for Interdependence

As the Joint force transforms to become more interdependent, the manner in which the Services train must also adapt. Joint interdependence requires increased trust and confidence among all Service members. In order to foster this trust, joint training must increase. For Combat Air Forces (CAF) aircrew this means that the program used to direct their training--the Continuation Program (CT)--must adapt. This paper opines that the current CT Program is inadequate in training highly proficient pilots and lacks in joint training requirements. This paper investigates the CT Program by comparing the requirements from 1999 to those of 2008 (AEF Cycle 7). The results show that pilots are training for more combat skills with the same number of sorties--a number which is too low by expert standards. Also, the joint training requirements for pilots have remained low despite the push for interdependence.