David Hafer

The Practical Application of Force Development for Today's Mobility Pilot David Hafer

In some ways the 21st Century Air Force officer is like a stonecutter. He or she is constantly busy hammering away at career and carving out a series of assignments and professional experiences that, in the end, will become the body of work representing an entire career. For many officers the seemingly endless series of blows may yield a selection for command or even a promotion to a senior grade. Each officer's journey is unique, shaped by the influences of mentors, peers, family, and the personnel system. Force Development is the Air Force's latest attempt to provide the stonecutter and the stonecutter's leadership with new hammers and chisels; new tools to develop the officer corps in a more deliberate manner. Key elements of Force Development are now connected, by policy and guidance, to the Air Force Assignment System (AFAS) and add a new dimension to how officers are managed by the overall assignment system.