Arlington, VA, September 16, 1997 -- The Air Force Association (AFA) said that the increased pace of operations has adversely affected readiness, retention, and a range of quality of life issues.

The organization's 1997-1998 Personnel Issue Paper was adopted overwhelmingly by the delegates attending AFA's National Convention and Aerospace Technology Exposition, being held in Washington, D.C., from Sept. 15-17.

The paper stated that "from recruit through retiree and spousal survivor, the Air Force must be given the tools to provide a strong, ready force and all the elements necessary for a competitive quality of life."

Current operations tempo, however, has hindered retention, forced employers of Reserve and Guard personnel into unfair economic decisions, placed great stress on the readiness of the force, and placed undue stress on families, the paper said.

AFA called on the Clinton Administration and the Congress to "halt the erosion of the force and re-evaluate U.S. involvement in operations other than war."

Among the areas needing special attention, AFA singled out the need for health care that is "affordable, accessible, and portable." The paper also called the current 13 percent pay gap between the military and private sector and the 20 percent pay gap between the civilian and private sector "unacceptable." And the Association strongly supported mobilization income insurance and an employer tax credit for the Reserve and Guard.