AFMC leader visits Tinker, highlights civilian issues

  • Published
  • By Brandy Armstrong
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) --  The Air Force Materiel Command executive director called upon civilians to broaden their career paths, as a changing Air Force turns to more civilian leadership, during a visit that began Feb. 22, here.

During the visit, Dr. Steven Butler had breakfast with the junior force council, spoke to civilian employees at a town hall meeting and participated in the AFMC/American Federation of Government Employees Partnership Council meeting with Scott Blanch, AFGE Council 214 president.

He spoke about civilian career opportunities in the Air Force and identified leadership qualities, addressed the concept of "Blueing the Civilians," and explained the need for civilians within AFMC.

"Our command owns 80 percent of the high-grade civilian positions in the Air Force," Doctor Butler said. "A lot of the civilian leadership doctrine is born in our command."

Often, leaders are people who are trusted, ethical and who impact others, Doctor Butler said. They also have people skills, experience, are business savvy and have an operational ability to make things happen. But, most importantly, they have followers. And the Air Force, particularly AFMC, is looking for more civilian leaders.

As the Air Force continues to change, Doctor Butler said the dynamics are also changing. What once was a military institution run solely by commanders is now more dependent on its civilian leaders. As a result, civilian career paths better resemble their military counterparts, in which civilians move and work in new areas. This concept is better known as "Blueing the Civilians" and was first introduced in the 1990s.

"In today's environment, we can no longer expect civilians to remain technically deep throughout their career in a way such that all they do is one functional activity, and in the process fail to become leaders that will be needed in the future to run our organizations," Doctor Butler said. "We must 'blue' the civilians or create an environment where civilian leaders can take on facets of the military and be capable of taking on key leadership positions."

Doctor Butler said each year AFMC officials seek to hire 5,000 new employees at varying levels, many of whom will work at one of the three air logistics centers.

Therefore, if civilians choose to enhance their career paths, Doctor Butler said they should talk with their supervisors, explore leadership training opportunities and expand on their education.

From Feb. 23 through 24, Doctor Butler and Mr. Blanch were two of about 15 participants who attended the AFMC/AFGE Partnership Council's quarterly meeting. During the meeting, senior leaders discussed ways to improve the AFMC work environment.

"It was a very productive meeting," Doctor Butler said. "We covered everything from tactical to strategic issues."

Doctor Butler said the group discussed opening more gates to better accommodate personnel and improving computer access for shop employees who work on the floors.

The group also talked about the newly reinstated presidential executive order on partnership councils and what it means to the Air Force and AFMC. 

The National Partnership Council disbanded in 2001 per an executive order by former President George W. Bush. In 2009, lawmakers asked President Barack Obama to reinstate the order.

"We're way ahead of the game as far as the executive order is concerned because we've kept our partnership going," Mr. Blanch said. "But, we're going to look at going back-to-basics and look at some of the bases out there and see if we need to refresh what we've learned."