The Flying Yankees

The Flying Yankees

Luis Velazquez

Professor Joanne Land-Kazlauskas

GPS 4278W

July 6, 2012

Organizations can be examined from many different perspectives. Bolman and Deal offer four perspectives that are different lenses used to highlight certain aspects of an organization. Bolman and Deal's structural frame, human resource frame, political frame, and symbolic frame are the four different perspectives that will be used in both describing and evaluating the organization of the Connecticut Air National Guard. It is important to use multiple lenses when examining an organization in order to have a comprehensive view and understanding of the organization. The Connecticut Air National Guard is an organization that I have been a member of for several years so it was an eye opening experience for me to examine the Air Guard from multiple perspectives. Through examining the Air Guard with the perspectives laid out by Bolman and Deal, I was able to apply the perspectives to a relevant part of my life and I have gained an understanding of the importance of combining different perspectives to create a full assessment. The ability to assess the organization gave way to ideas of how to reframe and improve the Connecticut Air National Guard.

First, the Connecticut Air National Guard will be viewed through Bolman and Deal's structural frame. The structural frame focuses on the goals of the organization as laid out in job roles, job expectations, and mission statements. This perspective, as described by Bolman and Deal, considers employees to be simply workers who will carry out their duties and meet the expectations of the organization. The policies the organization has in place as well as the hierarchy of personnel are seen when looking through the structural lens.

The Connecticut Air National Guard is a large branch of the military of the United States of America. This organization dates back to the early years of this country and it is a government organization with a primary goal to serve; it is not an organization that is for profit, rather it is for service and protection of the United States.

From the structural frame perspective, the Connecticut Air National Guard is one of the oldest branches of the military in the United States. The organization as a whole is large and it is a government organization that is not for profit. The Air National Guard has a dual mission that is part of the United States Constitution ("Air national guard," 2010). The federal mission is to keep units available to be mobilized during war and national emergencies, to carry out missions, training, operation readiness, and humanitarian operations ("Air national guard," 2010). The state mission is "to protect life, property, preserve peace, order, and public safety" ("Air national guard," 2010). Part of the state mission is "to provide support during natural disasters and maintain counterdrug operations" ("Air national guard," 2010). The Air National Guard is responsible for air defense of the United States ("Air national guard," 2010).

The Air National Guard is made up of many members with many different roles. The Air National Guard is organized by a chain of command. Along the chain of command are many different members with different roles and responsibilities. At the state level, the Governor is at the top, followed by the Adjutant General, then the Base Commander, followed by the Vice Commander, the Group Commanders, and the Squadron Commanders. After the Squadron Commanders, The Air National Guard is organized by rank. The rank of a member determines their place in the hierarchical structure of the organization.

Enlisted and commissioned officers later break down the rank structure. The enlisted ranks range from Airman to Chief Master Sergeant. The earlier ranks are earned through time in service and time in grade while the later ranks are obtained by achieving core tasks in your particular career field, as well as supervisor building classes. Commissioned officers must have a college degree and meet a minimum score on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT).

There is a process to becoming a member of the Connecticut Air National Guard. The applicant must be between the ages of 17 and 40 ("National guard eligibility," 2012). They are required to pass a written examination called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) as well as an entrance physical examination ("National guard eligibility," 2012). Using the results from the ASVAB test and physical, the local recruiter reviews positions available within the local unit to match the person with some areas of interest. (L. Velazquez, personal knowledge, 2001-2012)

A variety of jobs exist in the Connecticut Air National Guard. The enlisted members of the Air National Guard can range from aircraft mechanics, communications, transportation, supply/warehouse, health, public affairs and several other jobs. They are the workhorse and are considered the backbone of the military.

Officers also have many different job roles available in the Connecticut Air National Guard. A typical job for an officer is a pilot, doctor, nurse, other health, chaplain or judge advocate. Officers are often placed in supervisor positions and are the ones who are in charge of the enlisted core. They are also called on to become the base commander, vice commander and squadron commanders.

Members are paid based on their rank and time in service. On top of their regular pay members receive further benefits, such as a monthly food stipend and a housing allowance (if the member lives off base). The housing allowance is based on the members' rank, if they have dependents and the location of the base. The housing allowance is intended to help with the local cost of living.

The Air National Guard is clear in what is expected of members through the policies and rules which govern the organization. Policies laid out in The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) apply to National Guard members if activated at the federal level by the President under Title 10 or during their Annual Training periods, which are orders issued under Title 10 ("Uniform code of," 2012). "Otherwise, members of the National Guard of the United States are exempt from the UCMJ" ("Uniform code of," 2012). Under Title 32 orders, National Guard members are required to adhere to