1 00:00:00,340 --> 00:00:02,562 you know , as we look at all the things 2 00:00:02,562 --> 00:00:05,090 where we've been going through in our 3 00:00:05,090 --> 00:00:07,740 command , there are a lot of plates 4 00:00:07,740 --> 00:00:09,962 spinning . But I tell you there's never 5 00:00:09,962 --> 00:00:11,962 been a better time to be in the Air 6 00:00:11,962 --> 00:00:14,129 Force Reserve because of what we bring 7 00:00:14,129 --> 00:00:16,240 to our nation as far as capability is 8 00:00:16,240 --> 00:00:18,407 concerned . So let's talk a little bit 9 00:00:18,407 --> 00:00:22,340 about covid . Mhm . Yeah . Mhm . Yeah . 10 00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:25,670 You know boston uh and teammates , 11 00:00:25,670 --> 00:00:28,730 we've been living with this uh in this 12 00:00:28,730 --> 00:00:30,950 pandemic for the last two years . And 13 00:00:30,950 --> 00:00:33,006 as a command , I would say the first 14 00:00:33,006 --> 00:00:34,839 year , year and a half , we were 15 00:00:34,839 --> 00:00:37,730 relatively safe . Uh We went through 16 00:00:37,730 --> 00:00:40,290 without having a single death within 17 00:00:40,290 --> 00:00:43,070 the last few months . We've had several 18 00:00:43,070 --> 00:00:45,110 deaths inside our Air Force Reserve 19 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:48,530 family . Um This is uh it's 20 00:00:48,530 --> 00:00:51,020 mandated the sector office has issued 21 00:00:51,020 --> 00:00:53,520 some guidance on that . But um what we 22 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,660 want you to do is to take the shot . 23 00:00:56,660 --> 00:00:59,650 Not because it's mandated because more 24 00:00:59,650 --> 00:01:01,817 so it's for your safety . It's for our 25 00:01:01,817 --> 00:01:04,094 safety . Our mission is riding on this . 26 00:01:04,094 --> 00:01:06,980 Um There's a lot of reasons and and I'm 27 00:01:06,980 --> 00:01:09,147 sure that for those that have not been 28 00:01:09,147 --> 00:01:11,202 vaccinated have their own individual 29 00:01:11,202 --> 00:01:14,200 reasons for not doing so . But you know , 30 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,320 I I tell you as we as we continue to 31 00:01:17,320 --> 00:01:20,070 work through this thing um this this 32 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,850 this pandemic , this virus is not going 33 00:01:22,850 --> 00:01:24,961 away . We're going to have to be able 34 00:01:24,961 --> 00:01:26,961 to learn to live with it to operate 35 00:01:26,961 --> 00:01:29,140 inside it . And the only thing that's 36 00:01:29,140 --> 00:01:31,580 going to help us um get through it and 37 00:01:31,580 --> 00:01:35,350 maintain our mission is for us 38 00:01:35,940 --> 00:01:39,660 to be vaccinated . Yeah . No , 39 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:42,520 I got to tell everybody this is this is 40 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:44,480 how I view from an overarching 41 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,880 perspective we have to be ready to 42 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:50,102 fight the wars that our nation needs us 43 00:01:50,102 --> 00:01:52,160 to fight . We have to be ready to 44 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,650 protect americans . When we swore that 45 00:01:54,660 --> 00:01:56,382 oath to protect and defend the 46 00:01:56,382 --> 00:01:58,382 constitution and that of the United 47 00:01:58,382 --> 00:02:00,438 States . You know that was us saying 48 00:02:00,438 --> 00:02:02,549 we're going to do what it takes to be 49 00:02:02,549 --> 00:02:04,771 ready to do those things . This vaccine 50 00:02:04,771 --> 00:02:07,880 is one of those things below that what 51 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:09,991 we have to do is understand that this 52 00:02:09,991 --> 00:02:12,780 is mandatory for all of us to do . If 53 00:02:12,780 --> 00:02:14,780 we are going to be in the Air Force 54 00:02:14,780 --> 00:02:17,002 Reserve we're going to have to get this 55 00:02:17,002 --> 00:02:19,002 vaccine and I know it's going to be 56 00:02:19,002 --> 00:02:21,224 tough . So a lot of us have already got 57 00:02:21,224 --> 00:02:23,391 the vaccine and that's great and a lot 58 00:02:23,391 --> 00:02:22,970 of us are worried about the things that 59 00:02:22,970 --> 00:02:25,026 are going to go on this . I can tell 60 00:02:25,026 --> 00:02:26,859 you from our perspective as your 61 00:02:26,859 --> 00:02:29,180 command team . This is not an 62 00:02:29,190 --> 00:02:31,390 adversarial decision that we're trying 63 00:02:31,390 --> 00:02:33,910 to make . We are all in this together 64 00:02:33,930 --> 00:02:36,041 and what you're going to find from us 65 00:02:36,041 --> 00:02:38,263 is we're going to help you work through 66 00:02:38,263 --> 00:02:40,263 those things . You already have the 67 00:02:40,263 --> 00:02:42,430 vaccine . Great if you're going to get 68 00:02:42,430 --> 00:02:44,486 the vaccine great get it now you can 69 00:02:44,486 --> 00:02:46,541 get any vaccine you want if you're a 70 00:02:46,541 --> 00:02:48,486 volunteer to get it . The only one 71 00:02:48,486 --> 00:02:50,486 that's mandatory US fighter but the 72 00:02:50,486 --> 00:02:50,190 other ones that are approved under the 73 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,200 E . U . A . You can also get and then 74 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,367 that will be sufficient for what we're 75 00:02:55,367 --> 00:02:57,589 talking about . But for all of you that 76 00:02:57,589 --> 00:03:00,280 aren't sure yet , we're going to do is 77 00:03:00,290 --> 00:03:02,512 as we roll this out and we get ready to 78 00:03:02,512 --> 00:03:04,623 go . We're going to make sure that if 79 00:03:04,623 --> 00:03:06,623 you are uncomfortable the vaccine , 80 00:03:06,623 --> 00:03:08,512 we're going to educate you on the 81 00:03:08,512 --> 00:03:10,734 things that are going on and why does a 82 00:03:10,734 --> 00:03:12,568 safe vaccine to get and why it's 83 00:03:12,568 --> 00:03:14,734 important for you to get it ? And then 84 00:03:14,734 --> 00:03:16,846 you're gonna say , okay , that's good 85 00:03:16,846 --> 00:03:18,957 enough information for me . I'm going 86 00:03:18,957 --> 00:03:18,140 through the shot line . I'll get my 87 00:03:18,140 --> 00:03:20,860 shots and then we'll move on from there . 88 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:23,407 If you go through that education piece 89 00:03:23,407 --> 00:03:25,629 and you are still uncomfortable with it 90 00:03:25,629 --> 00:03:27,796 and believe me , I understand it . You 91 00:03:27,796 --> 00:03:30,530 are still part of our team . We still 92 00:03:30,530 --> 00:03:32,586 love you . Even if you were saying , 93 00:03:32,586 --> 00:03:34,586 Hey , I'm not comfortable with this 94 00:03:34,586 --> 00:03:36,530 vaccine . Okay , let's look at the 95 00:03:36,530 --> 00:03:38,641 other things . There are two https we 96 00:03:38,641 --> 00:03:40,863 can get , it's going to be uh , medical 97 00:03:40,863 --> 00:03:42,808 and there are some reasons why you 98 00:03:42,808 --> 00:03:44,919 might fall in that category . Great . 99 00:03:44,919 --> 00:03:44,630 There's no problem with that or 100 00:03:44,630 --> 00:03:46,852 religious . There might be some reasons 101 00:03:46,852 --> 00:03:49,074 that you fall into that . I'll tell you 102 00:03:49,074 --> 00:03:51,352 that if you go down the religious path , 103 00:03:51,352 --> 00:03:53,408 there are some drawbacks to that and 104 00:03:53,408 --> 00:03:53,170 will limit your ability to travel and 105 00:03:53,170 --> 00:03:55,281 do some other things . But still that 106 00:03:55,281 --> 00:03:58,490 is an option for you to take . Then all 107 00:03:58,490 --> 00:04:00,546 that's left is if you decide , hey , 108 00:04:00,546 --> 00:04:02,768 I'm not , I'm just not going to get the 109 00:04:02,768 --> 00:04:05,360 vaccine . Listen , we still appreciate 110 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,880 your service . And if you're at the age 111 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:09,991 of retirement and you can retire from 112 00:04:09,991 --> 00:04:12,102 the reserve , great . We are going to 113 00:04:12,102 --> 00:04:13,950 help you do that . If you're not 114 00:04:13,950 --> 00:04:15,950 retirement eligible . But you think 115 00:04:15,950 --> 00:04:18,117 getting this vaccine is so egregious , 116 00:04:18,117 --> 00:04:20,230 then that is going to be incompatible 117 00:04:20,230 --> 00:04:22,550 with service in the reserve . We still 118 00:04:22,550 --> 00:04:24,800 love you . There's no animosity about 119 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,730 that . It is just mandatory . We don't 120 00:04:27,730 --> 00:04:29,952 have a choice . You're going to have to 121 00:04:29,952 --> 00:04:32,174 get the vaccine or if you don't , we're 122 00:04:32,174 --> 00:04:34,397 going to help you transition to another 123 00:04:34,397 --> 00:04:36,508 job outside of the military and we'll 124 00:04:36,508 --> 00:04:38,674 be there to help you as much as we can 125 00:04:38,674 --> 00:04:40,786 as much as we're allowed to . But I'm 126 00:04:40,786 --> 00:04:42,952 telling you that this is going to be a 127 00:04:42,952 --> 00:04:45,063 non adversarial approach . It is just 128 00:04:45,063 --> 00:04:47,230 something that we have to do and we're 129 00:04:47,230 --> 00:04:49,063 going to get there as quickly as 130 00:04:49,063 --> 00:04:51,341 possible and we need to get there soon . 131 00:04:51,341 --> 00:04:53,563 The secretary , the air force has given 132 00:04:53,563 --> 00:04:55,674 us 90 days to be able to get all this 133 00:04:55,674 --> 00:04:57,730 out to me and after talking with the 134 00:04:57,730 --> 00:04:59,786 Chief of Staff of the Air Force this 135 00:04:59,786 --> 00:05:01,786 afternoon and my partner here along 136 00:05:01,786 --> 00:05:03,897 with the Chief master Sergeant of the 137 00:05:03,897 --> 00:05:06,063 Air Force . This is what success looks 138 00:05:06,063 --> 00:05:08,174 like to us . It is having two shots . 139 00:05:08,174 --> 00:05:10,286 If you're taking the two shot vaccine 140 00:05:10,286 --> 00:05:12,563 or one shot . If you're taking johnson , 141 00:05:12,563 --> 00:05:14,786 johnson , it's getting all the required 142 00:05:14,786 --> 00:05:17,730 shots . It is having the TTP validated 143 00:05:17,730 --> 00:05:20,150 and process processing if you need that 144 00:05:20,840 --> 00:05:24,400 or it is making a transition to another 145 00:05:24,410 --> 00:05:28,410 uh , another job . I don't want to lose 146 00:05:28,410 --> 00:05:30,521 people because of this . But I do not 147 00:05:30,521 --> 00:05:32,743 have a choice because it is mandatory . 148 00:05:32,743 --> 00:05:35,100 What I really worry about is is if we 149 00:05:35,110 --> 00:05:36,721 lose valuable members of our 150 00:05:36,721 --> 00:05:38,832 organization and then what that means 151 00:05:38,832 --> 00:05:40,666 both to the job market out there 152 00:05:40,666 --> 00:05:42,480 because a lot of companies are 153 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,000 requiring vaccines as a condition of 154 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,200 employment . And soon I think health 155 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,311 care providers might do the same . So 156 00:05:49,311 --> 00:05:51,533 we have to worry about that . If you're 157 00:05:51,533 --> 00:05:53,756 going to have to get the vaccine anyway 158 00:05:53,756 --> 00:05:55,700 in order to be in the job market , 159 00:05:55,700 --> 00:05:57,922 Montreal do you stay with us ? Which is 160 00:05:57,922 --> 00:06:00,033 why we want to make sure that we have 161 00:06:00,033 --> 00:06:02,256 commanders have all the tool kits and I 162 00:06:02,256 --> 00:06:04,367 should say command team because we're 163 00:06:04,367 --> 00:06:06,089 all in this together , all the 164 00:06:06,089 --> 00:06:08,311 information they need to make sure that 165 00:06:08,311 --> 00:06:10,311 we're educated . But if somebody is 166 00:06:10,311 --> 00:06:12,422 expecting me to stand up on the table 167 00:06:12,422 --> 00:06:14,644 and say you must and you have to , that 168 00:06:14,644 --> 00:06:16,756 is not going to happen . You're gonna 169 00:06:16,756 --> 00:06:16,210 get the shots and we're going to move 170 00:06:16,210 --> 00:06:18,321 on and protect this country or you're 171 00:06:18,321 --> 00:06:20,321 not going to get the shots and it's 172 00:06:20,321 --> 00:06:22,599 either through the TTP process . Great . 173 00:06:22,599 --> 00:06:24,599 But if it's not , it's incompatible 174 00:06:24,599 --> 00:06:26,821 with service in the Air Force reserve . 175 00:06:26,821 --> 00:06:29,043 But we still appreciate all the service 176 00:06:29,043 --> 00:06:31,099 you've given us . And we're going to 177 00:06:31,099 --> 00:06:33,210 help you transition into another line 178 00:06:33,210 --> 00:06:35,377 of work . That is the plain and simple 179 00:06:35,377 --> 00:06:37,599 truth . But what you have to understand 180 00:06:37,599 --> 00:06:39,821 is we are all in this together and this 181 00:06:39,821 --> 00:06:42,154 team right here and all your commanders , 182 00:06:42,154 --> 00:06:44,210 We appreciate everything that you've 183 00:06:44,210 --> 00:06:46,321 done as we try to work through this . 184 00:06:46,321 --> 00:06:46,310 So thank you . Thank you for your 185 00:06:46,310 --> 00:06:47,310 service . 186 00:06:50,140 --> 00:06:53,770 Mhm . Yeah , fiscal 187 00:06:53,770 --> 00:06:57,560 environment . If you are an FM , I 188 00:06:57,570 --> 00:07:00,930 love you . And because I know I have 189 00:07:00,930 --> 00:07:03,690 made this really tough , but in order 190 00:07:03,690 --> 00:07:06,140 to be successful , we have to 191 00:07:06,150 --> 00:07:08,317 accurately spend all the money that we 192 00:07:08,317 --> 00:07:10,539 have . The appropriations that Congress 193 00:07:10,539 --> 00:07:12,650 gives gives us and we also have to be 194 00:07:12,650 --> 00:07:15,080 able to be able to be transparent to 195 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,080 all of our subordinate command . So 196 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:19,080 they understand those things and FM 197 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:21,136 isn't easy , right ? It's hard . And 198 00:07:21,136 --> 00:07:23,370 the systems that we have our arduous 199 00:07:23,380 --> 00:07:26,110 and archaic and we're trying to improve 200 00:07:26,110 --> 00:07:28,110 those . You have great leadership . 201 00:07:28,110 --> 00:07:30,166 We've tried to put the resources and 202 00:07:30,166 --> 00:07:31,999 that you need . But we have been 203 00:07:31,999 --> 00:07:33,832 successful and I would say we're 204 00:07:33,832 --> 00:07:35,721 successful right now . What we're 205 00:07:35,721 --> 00:07:37,666 trying to do is we're gonna finish 206 00:07:37,666 --> 00:07:39,610 strong and uh with a lot of things 207 00:07:39,610 --> 00:07:41,554 happening like hurricanes Covid in 208 00:07:41,554 --> 00:07:43,277 Afghanistan , it's going to be 209 00:07:43,277 --> 00:07:45,388 difficult . But I have a lot of faith 210 00:07:45,388 --> 00:07:47,610 in our FM team and our leadership going 211 00:07:47,610 --> 00:07:49,721 forward to make sure that we finished 212 00:07:49,721 --> 00:07:51,943 this year . Strong uh next year , we're 213 00:07:51,943 --> 00:07:51,800 gonna take a measured approach as we go 214 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,060 into the year . So we don't uh struggle 215 00:07:54,060 --> 00:07:56,171 as much towards the end of the year , 216 00:07:56,171 --> 00:07:58,338 but the progress that we have made and 217 00:07:58,338 --> 00:08:00,393 transparency and understanding where 218 00:08:00,393 --> 00:08:02,393 our money is , it's gonna be a huge 219 00:08:02,393 --> 00:08:04,727 dependence next year as well . You know , 220 00:08:04,727 --> 00:08:06,560 as we look at what's going on in 221 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:08,782 Afghanistan , this is what I'm going to 222 00:08:08,782 --> 00:08:10,838 end on , look what we did as the Air 223 00:08:10,838 --> 00:08:12,949 Force Reserve , Look what we did as a 224 00:08:12,949 --> 00:08:15,116 country . We uh , we took airplanes in 225 00:08:15,116 --> 00:08:17,780 there . We had 73 crews of our strap 226 00:08:17,780 --> 00:08:20,940 lift on the , on the step within the 227 00:08:20,940 --> 00:08:23,290 first couple of days . In the first day , 228 00:08:23,300 --> 00:08:26,130 we had 17 C 17 and we had to C five's 229 00:08:26,130 --> 00:08:28,780 going down range . And so for a lot of 230 00:08:28,780 --> 00:08:31,170 us who struggle with what's going on in 231 00:08:31,170 --> 00:08:33,226 Afghanistan and this is what I would 232 00:08:33,226 --> 00:08:34,948 tell you , be proud of what we 233 00:08:34,948 --> 00:08:37,114 accomplished for two decades . Uh That 234 00:08:37,114 --> 00:08:40,650 is amazing . Also be proud of what you 235 00:08:40,660 --> 00:08:42,771 what service that you've been able to 236 00:08:42,771 --> 00:08:44,938 give to your country . All of us serve 237 00:08:44,938 --> 00:08:46,660 regardless of our pay status , 238 00:08:46,660 --> 00:08:48,827 regardless of whether we're in uniform 239 00:08:48,827 --> 00:08:51,049 are great civilians , civilian airmen . 240 00:08:51,049 --> 00:08:53,220 You guys have been doing incredible 241 00:08:53,220 --> 00:08:55,300 things and then be proud of what the 242 00:08:55,300 --> 00:08:57,490 Air Force Reserve was able to do when 243 00:08:57,490 --> 00:08:59,712 our country needed us most . And that's 244 00:08:59,712 --> 00:09:01,930 to pull americans and allies out of 245 00:09:01,930 --> 00:09:03,763 Afghanistan when that happened , 246 00:09:03,763 --> 00:09:06,830 Everyone plays a part and uh just want 247 00:09:06,830 --> 00:09:09,090 to make sure that everyone understands 248 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:12,060 um the significant role that they play , 249 00:09:12,070 --> 00:09:14,260 um , as we've done some amazing things 250 00:09:14,270 --> 00:09:16,214 throughout the year , some amazing 251 00:09:16,214 --> 00:09:18,548 things that are going on right now , um , 252 00:09:18,548 --> 00:09:22,150 across the globe , it's because of , uh , 253 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:24,407 what you bring to the table . So thank 254 00:09:24,407 --> 00:09:26,518 you . Thank your families . Thank you 255 00:09:26,518 --> 00:09:28,462 for hanging in there with us , and 256 00:09:28,462 --> 00:09:31,280 we're just just honored and proud to be 257 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:32,350 a part of your teeth .