Unit deployment manager now special duty position

News > Unit deployment manager now special duty position

Unit deployment manager now special duty position

Posted 5/17/2013 Updated 5/17/2013

Email story Print story

by Debbie Gildea
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

5/17/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Unit deployment manager is now a two-year-controlled special duty assignment (identifier 8U000); a change Air Force officials say will help professionalize the position and improve deployment program continuity.

In past the UDM retained his or her Air Force specialty code, and even though UDMs were working outside of their specialty, the position counted against the number of people a unit could have in that rank and career field.

"The result was a frequently unstable situation," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Holmquist, the Air Force UDM and Logistics Plans career field manager. "UDMs could be -- and often were -- tasked for deployment themselves, which left the unit without a UDM. Commanders had to start the selection and training process again from scratch."

As in past, the UDM will still come from unit resources, and members will rotate from their functional flight/section to the UDM position. Once a UDM tour is complete, the Airman will be replaced by another member from the squadron.

"The noteworthy part is that a commander gets a dedicated UDM for two full years," said Holmquist. "A commander gets great return on investment by retaining the Airman they invested time and money training, instead of potentially losing that Airman to a deployment six months into their tour."

In addition, the USAF Expeditionary Center is finishing work on an web-based training module that will be supplemented with some live instructor interaction, so UDMs will have the benefit of institutional information. The installation level curriculum will vary from base to base, though, to meet each installation's unique process needs.

The new training program is in addition to the current installation deployment officer's responsibilities to provide initial orientation for UDMs, Holmquist said.

Although classified as a special duty, Airmen interested in serving as the UDM don't apply for the position online.

"UDMs are locally-selected," Holmquist explained. "Airmen interested in serving should review the enlisted classification directory for the list of duties and responsibilities, and communicate their interest through their chain of command."

For more information about career opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.

Comments

6/20/2013 9:24:02 AM ET
If its contunity they want the position should be a civilian if one is available. They don't deploy and they don't PCS. I have JOPESTPFDD expierence from my time in the Army. But the Commander perfers to give the position to a contractor. Figure that one out.

A. Santiago, Joint Base Lackland

6/17/2013 8:58:57 AM ET
I am a full time 1S0 ground safety NCO. I have been a UDM since 2001 as part of my extra duties. I am also a Weapons Safety Manager and the IMPAC card holder for HQ. Even though my career field is not supposed to have extra duties as per the ground safety reg I do my job because as a SrNCO I must be able to adapt and overcome. BTW I work full time in the ANG so it will be interesting how the ANG will work this issue.

MSgt F G Castillo, TIAP AZ

6/13/2013 2:17:18 PM ET
I do not think this is going to work with the Reserves. I have been on orders previously on the active duty side as a UDM. The reserves say they do not have a position to make this a single persons function and they have no choice but to make is an extra duty. So what do we need to do in order to make this happen as a reservist

TRACY COOPER, Ohio

6/12/2013 11:54:12 AM ET
Will this extend to GuardReserve Units

FSS OPSO, AFSPC

6/7/2013 7:38:36 AM ET
How will this affect the Air National Guard

Kurt Leslie, Ellington JRB

6/3/2013 8:54:50 AM ET
While I love the concept and see how it can work in a squadron how will this work for wing staff agencies I have seen each staff agency have their own UDM and I have seen a UDM take care of all staff agencies. Will the UDM be coded so that their career field cannot tap them to deploy or is the DS or CPTSCC just supposed to know to shortfalldecline that person These shops generally have very few people as it is and just enough to report against each assigned UTC. Since the article says the person still comes from unit manning will the units UTCs change BTW in 2008 I was serving as a UDM who deployed several wing staff UTCs from EO PA CP XP and then got back in the processing line to deploy myself.

Joe, Whiteman

6/2/2013 6:22:45 AM ET
Why is this function not rolled into the newold CC support staff I am a re-trainee into an SRB career field and also the UDM. In order for me to progress I have to have 4 years in the career field. If I change AFSC's as a cross-trainee I could make Master come back to the career field and be useless for 2 years. This will essentially derail my career and more importantly really affect the manning in my already small workplace.The UDM job is important but all squadrons are different in my case I do well with it as an additional duty. Other squadrons probably need a UDM at a desk. This simply does not fit to everyone though. If I am desked I will either find myself staring at the wall or I will pick up CSS type additional duties and essentially be the CSS that my squadron isn't large enough for anyway. This is not the best approach.

MA, Texas

5/30/2013 2:02:48 AM ET
Erik S the system you came up with already exists and it's called Commander's Toolkit and its accesible thru AEFOnline if permission is granted by your CC. I use it on my unit for planning purposes and Readiness Reports.

Santiago, AMC

5/29/2013 9:28:56 AM ET
It sounds like there are still a lot of details to be considered. It will be interesting to see how people with bonuses and special pay will be impacted by this decision. I am a UDM with 22 months in the position so I am glad to be departing as this goes into effect.

SSgt, Fort Meade

5/28/2013 2:11:24 PM ET
Sounds like a really good program. I'm in the guard and would like to see this applied to the ANG as well. We are already undermanned and overworked so if there was a designated UDM for 2 years then it would benefit all ANG units.

SSgt @ Hueneme, Port Hueneme CA

5/24/2013 8:28:09 AM ET
I think the AF needs to go back to adding a Loggie back in each squadron and have them do this tasking.

Don, Retired

5/23/2013 4:32:34 AM ET
I am currently a UDM and applying for to cross-train how will this affect me and others once this is in full effect Since many of us here hand picked.

SSgt, overseas

5/22/2013 12:17:03 PM ET
It's called an AEF indicator slot UDMs into a non-deployable position DAV 65. Apparently FAMs aren't up to speed with procedures so they have to go mess with individual's careers. Is this going to be grandfathered If this keeps me at this base longer well let's just say they will be forced to train a new individual regardless.

SSgt SMH, ACC

5/22/2013 10:54:45 AM ET
I've been a UDM for over a year now and this could be beneficial. I don't see it as a fix for the commanders but it gives me a special duty assignment. Credit for the work that I've put in as a UDM. That's the only benefit I see to this. As for the commanders well they have to sign off on the DRMD that deploys personnel and if they are sending their own UDM then they have nothing to complain about.

Jeremiah, BAFB

5/22/2013 10:10:07 AM ET
Totally agree with Sgt Whomever mobility folders are a waste of time. It would be so easy to create a virtual mobility folder with a database. Why not create a system which could read ADLS for all your CBTs could read SFMIS for your weapons qualification scores could read MDG databases to determine readiness etc. It's all possible with automation just need to get it funded under sequestration... oh wait

Erik S, Kirtland AFB NM

5/21/2013 4:45:34 PM ET
The SDI will create manpower authorizations based on the unit size. This is a good move by the AF to keep the continuity needed for the programs in the UDM position something lost after the AFSC was deleted. This was less of a deployment issue than it was a continuity issue and UDM's getting trained for 4-6 months and then being replaced by someone new. I just hope there is also some benefit to the individuals career for filling these positions outside of their AFSC and usually not by choice.

Matt, USAF

5/21/2013 4:36:55 PM ET
5212013 22705 PM ETTo PilotI've seen several OPS units that have the ARM serving as the UDM or other non-rated non-flyer AFSCs. Maybe you should that that back to your unit for correction so your Pilots can focus on Flying instead of UDM duties. MSgt Robins AFB GAWell said. What Is there anything posted on what requirements will be needed to fulfill this position

Bob Zanis, Luke AFB

5/21/2013 3:08:23 PM ET
Its about time I hope it becomes a GS position with military augmentation you dont do much UDM stuff when you are down range.

MSgt , Ft Lee

5/21/2013 2:27:05 PM ET
To PilotI've seen several OPS units that have the ARM serving as the UDM or other non-rated non-flyer AFSCs. Maybe you should that that back to your unit for correction so your Pilots can focus on Flying instead of UDM duties.

MSgt, Robins AFB GA

5/21/2013 12:54:26 PM ET
I have been a UDM at two bases now both times were for 2 years. It seems that once you do that position you will get put back there at every base or you get put in the office to help prep for every inspection. So I don't see this as too bad of a thing as long as people stick with it and only do it for 2 years.

Jason, san antonio

5/21/2013 12:44:16 PM ET
How does this affect AFRC Are traditional reservists going to fill this position or is it going to be filled by an air reserve technician for two years.

Reservist, Pope AAF NC

5/21/2013 11:40:27 AM ET
I'm a retired 2G and served as an Installation Mobility NCO at 2 bases along with being a UDM in 5 different units as both an NCO and a civilian. With the AFI requirement for both a primary and alternate UDM along with a 24 month requirement I suggest making the primary position a civilian billet and the alternate a miltiary position. Keeps the continuity and brings in a fresh set of eyes every 2 years. In my current position I'm also the EM Rep Ancillary Training Manager Plans Rep SABC Instructor and Heartsaver Instructor.

Lenny, Lackland

5/21/2013 11:07:23 AM ET
The UDM is overworked running a program which has not evolved to meet modern times. Deployment folders are primarily a waste of time. ART and SORTS and DRRS should be rolled into one reporting mechanism. Some places the deployments are few and far between some places they are very commonplace. Some places have a deployable mission some only have deployable people but not a

Sgt Whoever, conus

5/21/2013 10:01:53 AM ET
There is no mention of extending someone filling this position. There are many UDMs which a very good and dedicated to this additional duty. If I am reading this correctly regardless of the abilityskill level of the 8U personnel will have to rotate out and a new person will need to be trained. As mentioned in many other comments this is a very important position not only to the unit but also the 2G careerfield. So to force a good UDM out due to a 2 year time limit and replace them with a potential problem child is a bad idea.

Mike, IL

5/21/2013 9:53:17 AM ET
I have heard conversations on this and glad it's finally taking form. Too often I've worked in a squadron where the UDM is whatever troop a shop did not want around or was on a profile so they stuck them in the position...or given as an additional duty.2 year controlled tour will give needed continuity and hopefully get solid personnel in the postion.Times have changed and deployments are one of the most important issues we have now. It needed to be its own career field with qualified personnel filling the position.

MSgt Glover, Langley AFB

5/21/2013 9:24:01 AM ET
To AD CMSgt CONUS. The UDM Workload was incorporated to the CSS AFMS but the plus up impact will go on as unfunded rqmts which will force CCschiefs to make a decision on what position will be the offset to fund up the UDM which in my opinion is not a positive scenario. I can definitely see where a group or wingcc will mandate all the SQs have the UDM position funded forcing the SQCCs to take away from another work center.

jason, IL

5/21/2013 9:09:29 AM ET
I'm failing to understand what has changed here Folks already get pulled from existing unit personnel and placed into the UDM function with no additional manpower authorizations or personnel fill. A better fix would be a dedicated billet. This fixes absolutely nothing other than the possibility a UDM wont deploy while assigned. Awesome fix...Go AF

Civ@Grand Forks, Grand Forks

5/21/2013 7:48:26 AM ET
If the deployment of UDM's is a concern then establish an expedited process to tag them with deployment availability codes and make them non-deployable. No need to create a special duty.

RADHAZ, Ft Gordon GA

5/21/2013 4:01:39 AM ET
This is nothing more than a shell game with personnel with someone else telling us how to run our programs. This is a zero sum gain. The AF is not going to acquire more people they are just going to reduce the number of your authorized personnel by one in your AFSC and build another position in the same grade. How will you do this on remotes How will they test for promotion How will the flying units with officer UDMs get an enlisted AFSC

AD CC, OCONUS

5/20/2013 6:58:54 PM ET
I spent two year as a UDM while on active duty. The skills I learned in my position was highly sought after when I got hired at my company a Fortune 500 company I might add. They looked at those skills rather than 9 years of my AFSC. If people want to do it they will get some good skills in management finance logistics and personnell management. I was deployable when I did it so having a static person causes less headache.

Jay, San Antonio

5/20/2013 4:47:09 PM ET
I have my special Duty application at my functional right now. I do not what to be disqualified again for being on a list or in a controlled AFSC. I am currently a UDM and if my package is already up can this affect me GOD I hope not.

Ria Sonny, Macdill afb

5/20/2013 3:16:32 PM ET
This is a good thing hopefully the AF will do the same for Command Chief Execs Wing Execs Group Execs. Or eliminate those glorified coffee makers altogether.

Retired Chief, Rapid City SD

5/20/2013 1:39:10 PM ET
As a former civilian UDM Commanders need continuity but not the continuity of a GS employee. Some civilian UDM's do a good job but there are many who haven't been in the deployment world since the 90's or longer. They just don't get it. The job is too important to have old school thoughts and not remain current to properly prepare personnel. The world has changed the military changed and so should UDM's.

former GS UDM, Offutt

5/20/2013 11:10:10 AM ET
Will those of us who are civilian UDMs disappear into the sunset

Hope, HILL AFB

5/20/2013 10:57:41 AM ET
For all of you that keep saying a 2G should be a UDM can be quiet. Just like you have a job to do so do we. If you feel like we should get pulled out of our job to be a UDM then I feel the same way about your career field. We all have a job to do so bottom line this should be a civilian slot. People should not get pulled out their job and possibly upgrade training for two years to be a UDM.

Me, USA

5/20/2013 10:30:09 AM ET
I don't see how this is a good thing. There's no mention of authorizations for the 8Us. Tells me unit will have to ACR a position from one of they authorized AFSCs to create the 8U position so they aren't gaining anything when it comes to manning. Secondly now there's going to be people holding a secondary AFSC after their UDM time for the rest of their career. I can see some getting put back in the position when the show up on an allocation notice. Lastly this isn't going to be considered a true special duty as some have suggested. This is MTI MTL recruiter etc. level.More smoke and mirrors. Where's the substance.

AD CMSgt, CONUS

5/20/2013 10:29:52 AM ET
I am a civilian assigned as the UDM for my organization. I enjoy my job and the people with whom I work. Some of the military enjoy this duty and many do not. Many do not enjoy being removed from their primary duties for two years. Making these duties a permanent full time civilian billet will give a Commander continuity. Commanders need to realize AND listen to their UDM that this program is VERY important. This is NOT a job where you pile on all the other additional duties not wanted in the squadron. UDM includes personnel equipment SORTS and ART. Failure in a few of those programs can and will get a Commander fired. Make them permanent civilian billets grade them out according to the Standard Core Personnel Document and stop the flip flopping. Oh wait civilians aren't important. We're being furloughed.

Arctic Warrior, Colorado Springs CO

5/20/2013 9:21:40 AM ET
So basically what I got from this article is that SqCCs cannot manage the AEF windows for their personnel so AF will just designate the UDM as special duty

jason, IL

5/20/2013 8:35:42 AM ET
D from AFMC unless the plan has recently changed UDMs will be testing PDG only starting with the 2014 test cycles. Multiple options were presented and analyzed regarding how to professionalize the UDM position including making them 2Gs and converting the positions to civilians. Problems with making them a specific career field 2Gs as an example include job rotation to learn remaining core 2G responsibilities and career progression. Coding all UDM positions as civilians is also problematic in that the AF prefers to not grow civilian authorizations especially in light of the recent civilian authorization cuts and possible furloughs. The best option was to code the positions with an SDI and protect them against deployments.

McNulty, Scott AFB

5/20/2013 8:21:03 AM ET
Actually this is notjhing new... just not pursued. I was taken out of my career field for being a UDM and in the past I have recieved orders from it. You always was removed from your career field if you held a special duty postion. Instructors Shirts etc. so now everyone is catching up to the AFI which states this position is a minimum of 18 months. So what it boils down to is this position is not a spot to hide your folks anymore...LOL

MSgt, Minot

5/20/2013 4:31:28 AM ET
This is mainly the result of commanders not following the AFI and making sure their UDMs are the very last people to deploy no matter what. A good UDM is gold to the CC deployer and the IDO. They haven't been handled that way though and it causes a lot of headache to everyone when they're untrained or inept. This change ensures we don't keep having to retraining new ones every 6 months and right when they're good to go they get switched out. Also 2G's are not UDMs. They manage the the UDMs and the macro-level deployment process. Making a 2G a UDM is a huge waste of a small and in my opinion an underappreciated career field.

IDO, Log Plans

5/20/2013 3:49:38 AM ET
The only issue that I see with making it an AFSC is the deployments. If you create an AFSC that will never deploy people will start complaining that it's unfair.

Zach, RAB

5/19/2013 1:13:14 PM ET
Can't wait to see the creation of the UDM Ribbon...jeez... organiztions mismanaged their people resources and Big Blue imposes a fix... way to go

Here Again, And Again

5/19/2013 8:01:13 AM ET
How does this effect individuals with SRBs I believe you cannot work more than 6 months outside of your SRB AFSC. In addition my career field is 1 to 1 dwell and the UDM has be a deployable as well.

SMSgt, WPAFB

5/18/2013 5:02:34 PM ET
A couple more comments This is a policy made because Unit Commander's and SNCOs have let their programs run poorly. Also the concept of a primary and an active engaged alternate must have not been lost through the years. Now I have to remove one of my fully qualified personnel from their normal job and make them non-deployable for 2 years It hurts my career field and the morale. I foresee people fighting to the UDM so they can stay home for a couple of years or this becoming a CC's reward program. You should have taken personnel from AFSCs with excess personnel and retrain them into the 2G career field and make them UDMs throughout the Air Force. I think this would have resolved the issues.

SMSgt, WPAFB

5/18/2013 12:07:33 PM ET
I think the only real benefit is the recognition for the INDIVIDUAL as having filled a Special Duty Billet. In the past you were working outside of your actual AFSC but didn't get the recognition. Now it might benefit the member in that position in the long run as they get SDI credit. At least that's what I can see.

Santiago, AMC

5/18/2013 8:59:00 AM ET
UDM duty should be either A. a 2G0X1 position where it wouldn't make sense for a full time body combine units until it does or B. a civ slot. Either way training wouldn't be wasted on folks always rotating in and out of a job. That and it wouldn't screw people out of their career field UDMs still test SKT mind you for 2 years.

D, AFMC

5/17/2013 9:46:39 PM ET
Ryan the key difference is the addition of the 8U000 identifier. This should allow the unit to receive a backfill for the member holding the identifier and in turn help relieve the manpower strain. In a nutshell it should help eliminate the out of hide piece of the full time additional duty.

Robert Agard, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-hickam

5/17/2013 7:33:58 PM ET
so how will this work in an Ops squadron where the UDM is often an aircrew member whose primary job is to FLY They better not be changing an aicrew member's AFSC. Ops sqadrons will need an additional manning position on the UMD to fill this job as all the support personnel are already 100 percent committed doing their jobs.

Pilot, USAF

5/17/2013 6:17:54 PM ET
I wonder how this is going to work in fighter squadrons. Our UDM has always been some poor wingman Capt that is tagged with UDM as an additional duty. Hopefully we will get a full-time UDM so our young Capts can focus their efforts on sharpening their aviation skills.

NF, USA

5/17/2013 5:12:29 PM ET
So what are the units who have officer UDMs supposed to do I used to pull this duty as a Butter bar and actually quite enjoyed it since it was the closest thing I had to being operational in an Acquisitions job. It really is a full-time job getting it set up but quite easy to maintain once you get your rhythm.

Erik S, Kirtland AFB NM

5/17/2013 4:05:20 PM ET
There are many other positions we can do this to. RA and Safety come to mind.

Matt, SOCOM

5/17/2013 12:38:26 PM ET
Since personnel will be selected from within their current organization I see this as not changing too much from how our UDMs work right now. Unit CCs choose the personnel right now and assign them via appointment letter for what is supposed to be 12-24 months. However more times than not after six of eight months the UDM is replaced by someone else. As an IDO it becomes frustrating for me and my shop to have to conduct training for a UDM just to have them rotate back out of the position and be replaced by a new person. How is this going to be any different

Ryan Kaono, Los Angeles AFB

Add a comment

Inside AF.mil

GeneralImagesVideo

View All RSS

Subscribe AF.MIL

More Headlines

SecDef: DOD welcomes Supreme Court decision  2

Weather warns warriors, saves services silver

Squadron's lone female gunner aims high  1

Flight engineer reaches combat sortie milestone  3

Training helps deployed Airman save lives  1

Acting SecAF recounts journey to equality  6

Civil engineers recall, reflect 17 years after Khobar Towers bombing  1

Air Force selects 5,654 for technical sergeant  2

Aerial firefighting continues against Rocky Mountain fires

Through Airmen's Eyes: One Airman's journey to a brighter future  5

Air Force Medical Service website focuses on Men's Health Month

More military aircraft join fight against wildland fires

Fanning becomes acting Air Force secretary

Through Airmen's Eyes: Love, service, sacrifice define Airman's career  9

Commentary

Our commitment, our community

'Lucky' people take personal responsibility for their own success 11