Major Events in Enlisted AF History

by Greg McCulley, 11 Oct 98

-  1300s, Latin word for serve, serive described sword carriers, l'enfant refers to fate-less fighters who were as infants (infantry)

- 1350-1750, assistants became low level leaders, technicians, took care of weapons and the men

-  US Civil War, NCOs relied upon to maintain  formations of infantry.  Civil War was part of an evolution of ground tactics,  we continued to experiment using very large formations of troops on the battlefield (as opposed to Native American-styled small attack patrols used in the Revolutionary War); NCOs were to keep the men in line, supplied, and fighting.

-  Little change from 1860s to WWI (1910s).  WWI, had to have a boost in enlisteds which developed rank structure. After WWI, we drew down numbers heavily in light of Wilson's vision for a peaceful world under the now defunct League of Nations.   Almost no standing military was desired by most Americans.   (Related: Roosevelt's  fight for the Navy, the Great White Fleet, etc).

-  WWII, once the US committed to fighting it, required troops and badly.  Draft, prisoner conscription, recruitment brought lots of undisciplined men into the ranks.   NCOs were vital to maintaining order and discipline (enter the "brown shoe era of the USAF and US Army).  Also, there was a continued technician role with a little more responsibility.

-  After WWII, brief draw down that was ended by Korea War.  Some NCOs returned to service.   After Korea, large glut in E-4 to    E-6 ranks, known as the "Korean Hump".

-  10 years after the Korean Hump, some E-7' s had been same rank for many years. Stagnation erroed morale, so new ranks were established.   E8/E9 opened up promotion some, more responsibility given to NCOs.

-  Vietnam, again, saw draftees that were unruly, in some cases worse than WWII. NCOs continued to play role of disciplinarian, mentor, father, counselor, and technician.  See essay "Why we fought" under World Politics Section.

-  Gulf War, NCOs were full-fledged technicians by end of war in the eyes of the American public.   Enlisted prestige mounting.

-  Yugoslavian War, high water mark for enlisted prestige.  Now given unprecented  levels of responsibility and accountability. Hence, more defined roles and responsibilities.

Despite reports to the contrary in many military circles, the enlisted corps (especially in the USMC and the USAF) has grown in prestige, pay, and responsibility.  Many in the US armed forces (mostly Commissioned officers, it seems) percieve there to be some sort of shortage in appreciation for enlisted contributions.  This is inaccurate, since enlisted prestige is at its greatest.  The only notable venue where there seems to have been no mention of enlisted contributions has traditionally been in literature, but this is now changing as well.  (See www.au.af.mil)

Compiled by Greg McCulley, 1998