Competency-Based Assignment & Promotion to Meet Air Force Senior Leader Requirements

The Air Force Doctrine Document on Leadership and Force Development (AFDD 1-1) states leadership contains three main components: core values, competencies, and actions. All three of these components are important to the development of senior leaders. Of the three, core values are learned early in an individual's life, and actions are the result of learned values and experiential development. The third component, competencies, are occupational skill sets and enduring leadership competencies Air Force leaders develop as they progress along the tactical, operational and strategic levels of increased responsibility. Competencies are clearly the one leadership component the Air Force can purposefully develop and nurture in our officers. Because of the potential influence the Air Force has over competency development it may eventually become a key factor in senior officer assignment and promotion. This research paper, sponsored by the Headquarters Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Manpower (AF/A1), will address the question: should the AF adopt a competency-based system for assignment and promotion for senior officers?