by Erin Tindell
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
1/4/2011 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Force support senior leaders sought ways to shape the careers of nonappropriated-fund employees during the first NAF development team meeting at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2010.
The development team reviewed, assessed and scored 143 records of NF-03 and above NAF employees on their ability to take on more responsibility throughout their careers. The team vectored employees for managerial and leadership roles in an effort to sustain, if not increase, the Air Force capability within the force-support career field.
The development team provided steady-state vectoring, a process that tells an employee how to attain his stated career goals and what gaps in his current experience need to be filled in order to be more competitive for future positions.
Officials said the first NAF development team allowed members to develop streamlined processes to ensure future development teams are simplified and effective.
"We want to ensure our NAF employees compete within a developmental construct that selects future leaders based upon not only their past and current performance but also their potential," said H.L. Larry, the deputy director of Air Force Services at the Pentagon, and the NAF development team chair. "This is a very competitive process so it's imperative the team gives the right people the right opportunities."
Officials said members of the NAF workforce have historically felt excluded because so many of the processes and benefits applied only to appropriated-fund employees.
"The establishment of a NAF DT is important because it shows NAF employees that leaders of the force-support community value not only their efforts in day-to-day operations, but their potential for growth and development as future leaders in this career field," said Michael Waschek, the chief of force support civilian career field management at AFPC.
The Air Force has approximately 25,000 NAF employees. Air Force NAF employees are paid with money generated by NAF activities, such as Air Force clubs, bowling centers, child and youth programs, outdoor recreation and golf courses. These facilities provide a community environment for Air Force families to live, work and play.
