UPDATE: The Air Force said Friday it is not going to review its gender-specific titles as it integrates women into the last remaining combat jobs.
"The Air Force is dedicated to a culture of inclusiveness which enables all airmen to make their greatest contributions to mission success," the Air Force said in an email Friday. "We will continually review all aspects of our program as we proceed with the full integration of women into all Air Force occupational specialties, however, a job title or rank nomenclature review is not currently underway nor being considered at this time."
That differs from the Thursday's statement, which said, "While a review of job titles is not currently underway, we continually review all aspects of our programs and a review of job titles will be included as we proceed with the full integration of women into all Air Force occupational specialties."
ORIGINAL STORY: The Air Force is not now considering dropping gender-specific references to "man" from its titles –-- but that could change.
Last week, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus ordered the service to review all of its job titles and consider removing references to "man" from titles such as yeoman, fireman and seaman. The Navy's review of the job title language is part of its preparation to open up all jobs to women sailors in Marine ground combat elements and the Navy SEALs.
In response to a query from Air Force Times, the Air Force said it has not yet launched a similar review of job titles. But as the Air Force moves forward with integrating women into its six remaining male-only combat jobs, it will look at what it calls airmen.
"The Air Force is dedicated to a culture of inclusiveness which enables all airmen to make their greatest contributions to mission success," Air Force spokeswoman Rose Richeson said in an email Thursday. "While a review of job titles is not currently underway, we continually review all aspects of our programs and a review of job titles will be included as we proceed with the full integration of women into all Air Force occupational specialties."
The six remaining male-only jobs in the Air Force, encompassing about 4,000 special operations positions, are 13C special tactics officers, 13D combat rescue officers, 1W0X2 special operations weather enlisted, 1C2 combat control, 1C4 Tactical Air Control Party, and 1T2 pararescue.
Airmen in the pararescue and special operations weather career fields are now commonly referred to as pararescuemen and weathermen, and that could change if the Air Force were to decide to drop references to "man."
Two skill levels — -- 5-level journeymen and 7-level craftsmen -- — also include the word "man."
Even the generic title for an Air Force service member -- — airman -- — which dates back to the birth of the force could potentially be changed.
The first four enlisted ranks -- — airman basic, airman, airman first class and senior airman -- — include the word "man" as well.
Stephen Losey covers Air Force leadership, personnel, promotions, and the Air Force Academy for Air Force Times. He can be reached at slosey@airforcetimes.com.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
