Overview

This paper examines the role of USAF technical officers (TOs) as envisioned by the post-World War II Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) report, Toward New Horizons, co-authored by General Henry 'Hap' Arnold and the renowned aerodynamicist Dr. Theodore von Karman. The current role of TOs according to existing career path guides and the future role as envisioned in the latest SAB report, New World Vistas are also examined. The examination of the TO role addresses advanced technical education and a clear path to senior leadership positions. The current path to senior leadership positions for TOs appears to be solely through acquisition management. These two areas are addressed explicitly in New World Vistas, which highlights the importance of these issues and the future role of TOs ensuring USAF technological superiority in the 21st century. A working definition of USAF TOs is formulated which includes the scientific research and development Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) (61SX) and the developmental engineering AFSC (62EX) as well as the acquisition manager AFSC (63AX). These specialties currently reside within the acquisition and financial management career area. The author concludes by proposing a number of innovative ideas. Concepts such as the formation of a technical officer corps (TOC) and its vigorous management by the personnel system to ensure there are no recruitment and retention shortfalls are recommended. This vital national security resource-the USAF technological superiority and the men and women of the TOC who are key to America's current and future technical supremacy-guards our nation from any future technological surprises which may threaten America and the free world. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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