In October, I'll spend two weeks with our Pacific Air Forces units. In November, I'll go to Southwest Asia to have Thanksgiving with our deployed forces. I believe it's extremely important to get out and meet our people where they live and work. Hopefully, I can take what I learn back to the Pentagon and help where I can with common sense solutions that help and not hinder our people and our mission. We face difficult times as we transition to the 21st century.
Retention rates are down in critical specialties, especially at the end of the second tour.
If you read the papers, you will have learned that many in the Air Force feel its leaders lack the understanding or the will to make things better. Well, I'm here to tell you that we do understand, and we do have the will to make things better. But General Ryan, Chief Benken, and I cannot do it alone. We need your help. We are asking you to play a vitally important role in shaping the quality of our Air Force.