When considering why not all members of the Air Force are fully qualified to be rifleman in case of hostile events, the limitations and restrictions that the Air Force has placed upon the skill sets of its personnel become apparent. This article will analyze the Air Force's rationale for not requiring every individual to be fully qualified as a rifleman, explore how such qualifications would conflict with other duties in the Air Force, and discuss potential alternatives.

At the heart of the decision not to require all members of the Air Force to be fully qualified as riflemen lies the need for recruits to fulfill various roles within the military. While individual soldiers in World War I and II had to undertake the responsibilities of many roles, such as serving as scouts, the need for personnel with specialized expertise has increased. It is no longer a matter of simply sending troops into combat; rather, the modern battlefield is a complex system of moving parts which must be maintained and managed by individuals with the relevant skills and knowledge. In the Air Force, positions such as navigators and aircrew personnel are highly specialized and require a wide range of skills that are not necessarily associated with the same level of firearms training required of a rifleman. As such, it’s impractical to require all personnel to be fully qualified as rifleman, as they would be unlikely to possess the necessary skills and abilities.

Furthermore, such a move would put additional strain on the Air Force’s resources. Rifle qualifications require considerable amounts of ammunition, training ranges, and instructors. The cost of maintaining such resources would be significant, and while it would guarantee a certain level of proficiency among all personnel, it would also cost an exorbitant amount of money. Therefore, the Air Force must find a way to balance the need for well-trained personnel with its tight budget.

Additionally, such a requirement could create unnecessary conflict within the ranks of the Air Force. A true rifleman must undergo extensive training and demonstrate extensive skill in order to receive the qualifications. If a large percentage of the Air Force were required to undertake such training, it could result in a caste system of sorts, whereby rifleman are viewed by their peers with higher prestige than non-rifleman. Furthermore, the extensive training required could lead to increased competition among personnel, or a sense of unjustified superiority among those who have attained the qualifications. Both of these scenarios could lead to disharmony within the ranks.

Given the issues discussed above, it is difficult to envision a scenario in which the Air Force would require all personnel to be rifleman in the event of hostile events. That being said, it is possible to find alternatives that would still guarantee a greater level of proficiency among the ranks. One such solution is the use of simulation and virtual reality training. Such training allows the Air Force to educate personnel on the use of firearms and their tactical deployment without the need for expensive resources or ammunition. It also allows personnel to learn without the risk of injury or death associated with live fire exercises. Furthermore, simulation and virtual reality training allow personnel to become familiar with specific weapons systems and their corresponding complexities, such as sighting, firing, and reloading. This knowledge can be transferred to the battlefield and could prove invaluable in the event of an engagement.

In conclusion, the Air Force is justified in its decision not to require all personnel to be fully qualified rifleman. Doing so would be impractical, expensive, and potentially divisive. However, alternative solutions do exist which would allow the Air Force to ensure a greater level of proficiency amongst its ranks. In particular, simulation and virtual reality training can provide personnel with the necessary knowledge and experience, without the need for an expensive live fire system. Therefore, while all Air Force personnel may not be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events, other solutions exist that can provide similar levels of expertise and knowledge.