Enlisted aide career field continues to improve Published Nov. 1, 2005 By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski Air Force Print News WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- From preparing meals to arranging official social events, enlisted aides have long proven themselves invaluable to general officers. But over the last three years, their career field has evolved to include better training, recognition programs and the chance to earn a Community College of the Air Force degree. Most recently, enlisted aides have been deploying, bringing their talents and attention to detail to the war front. “I spoke with General Moseley when he was Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and he said if we wanted to be credible as a career field, we’d have to bring our skills to the fight,” said Chief Master Sgt. Gary Murdock, the enlisted aide career field manager. “Three months later, the first aide deployed to the combined air operations center at AL Udeid, Qatar.” The aides don’t deploy with the generals to whom they’re assigned. Instead, they adopt the protocol superintendent role as part of Air Force services at the CAOC. “The colonels and generals really appreciated having an aide there because we know a lot about setting up things like distinguished visitor visits, formal dinners as well as arrival and departure ceremonies because we do it all the time,” said Master Sgt. Peter Baysdell, an enlisted aide who was deployed from January to April. “We had Japanese and Korean generals come through, as well as three Congressional staff delegations visits, so we were effective in making sure everything was well taken care of.” The road to bringing the enlisted aide in line with other career fields has been challenging, Chief Murdock said. “Before we started normalizing the career field, enlisted aides had no real formal training and were on par, administratively at least, with basic trainees,” the chief said. “Now we have on-the-job training requirements, civilian certifications, and enlisted aides can even earn a degree in restaurant, hotel and fitness management.” As a special duty assignment, enlisted aides stand out amongst their fellow Airmen and even wear an aiguillette on their uniform. “There are a select few who get to serve as an enlisted aide,” Chief Murdock said. “Since the beginning of military history, it’s been a privilege to serve senior leaders, and as such, it should be reserved for the best and brightest.” For more information about enlisted aides, visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/enlisted/morelinks.htm and click on enlisted aide duty.