Reestablished council reaches milestones

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Air Force's reestablished Force Management and Development Council has reached two milestones, securing the vice chief of staff's endorsement of the Air Force Learning Committee and the Officer Force Development Panel.

The council, chaired by Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, reestablished its charter earlier this year and convened to make institutional recommendations. 

Council members will approve a framework to address deliberate force management and development of officer, enlisted and civilian career issues.

Joseph M. McDade Jr., the force development director for the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, will chair the Air Force Learning Committee. Its key role is to shape Airmen development for the council, he said.

"The concept of institutional competencies took root at the (Office of Secretary of Defense-level) and continues to gain momentum as we address expectations of the Department of Defense's 21st century leaders," Mr. McDade said. "We're taking proactive steps to address deliberate development of our Airmen's career lifecycle. As we begin with institutional competencies, this committee will provide oversight of the content of all institutional competency programs."

The learning committee will meet biannually and include representatives from the functional career fields, major command vice chiefs of staff and advisers from Air Education and Training Command, Air University, Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The Officer Force Development Panel, a general officer-level group, will establish a plan of action to broaden officer resumes, develop initiatives and make force management recommendations to the council.

Currently, the Executive Resources Board Development Panel addresses civilian force development issues and the Enlisted Force Development Panel addresses enlisted issues. The officer panel, which will meet quarterly starting in September, will add parity for officer force development issues and all three will report to the Force Management and Development Council.

"The speed at which the Force Management and Development Council leadership provided direction and the expectations for these important bodies is a testament that the Air Force is serious about deliberate development of our Airmen and posturing them to meet the challenges we face today and missions we taken on tomorrow," Mr. McDade said. 

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