Instruction clarifies enlisted Airmen’s roles, responsibilities

  • Published
  • By Michael Briggs
  • 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Air Force officials further clarified and standardized the roles, responsibilities and duty titles of its enlisted Airmen with the latest version of Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure.

The 19-page document, certified by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray, substantially revises the old version of the regulation.

“I urge all Airmen to read and understand the enlisted force structure AFI,” Chief Murray said in a CMSAF Perspective released Dec. 10 and available online at www.af.mil/media/viewpoints/CMSAFenhance.html. “This is your blueprint for success in our great Air Force … an Air Force revered around the world. Embrace your role and responsibility as an Airman ... and we'll continue to be the outstanding enlisted force our nation values, our allies appreciate and our enemies fear.”

While short in length, the instruction is the most comprehensive tool Air Force officials use to define the structure of more than 300,000 people in the ranks of Airman basic through chief master sergeant.

“To effectively train and mentor enlisted Airmen, individuals must understand the expectations placed on these Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Sergent, 12th Flying Training Wing command chief master sergeant. “This instruction provides the information necessary to develop a clear understanding of these expectations.”

The document serves as the definitive guide for developing an enlisted-force structure that best meets mission requirements while providing a stable career field structure and opportunity for professional growth, according to the instruction.

“Clearly defining our purpose and development as an enlisted corps is more critical today than ever before,” Chief Murray said. “It's the enlisted-force structure that defines us as Airmen rather than merely specialists. In recent months, we've spent a great deal of time and talent to improve this AFI to ensure we not only meet today's requirements, but also are ready to face any adversary at any time.”

Changes included in the revised instruction are new listings of leadership and developmental levels, general Airman responsibilities and standardized duty titles. The instruction also provides more detail about noncommissioned officer and senior NCO responsibilities and describes special senior NCO positions.

The three enlisted leadership and developmental levels added to the instruction are tactical, operational and strategic.

The tactical level, according to the instruction, normally applies to junior NCOs, and it is in this level that they perfect their primary skills. At this level the goal is to accomplish all assigned work as efficiently as possible using the people and resources available.

The operational level applies to senior NCOs. It is in this level where master sergeants through chief master sergeants transition from being expert technicians and first-line supervisors to leaders with broader responsibilities, according to the instruction.

Most enlisted Airmen will spend their entire careers at the tactical and operational levels, the instruction states. “This is where their natural strengths -- the technical skills, experience and day-to-day mission focus of the enlisted force -- are most required.”

The strategic level normally applies to chief master sergeants and a select few other senior NCOs assigned to higher headquarters. These Airmen focus on the strategic leadership and management of the force for current and future requirements.

“Leadership and development levels provide every enlisted member the necessary roadmap to chart a successful career,” Chief Sergent said. “At the earliest points in their careers, enlisted Airmen can identify the skills and knowledge required for every stage of their career progression, and can proactively work toward acquiring the skills and knowledge required for each stage.

“At the same time, the three leadership and development levels provide a method for articulating to everyone in the unit -- from the most senior commander to the most junior Airman -- what should be expected of individuals based on the positions they occupy,” he said.

The revised instruction adds Airman responsibilities and further clarifies NCO and senior NCO responsibilities in chapters 3 to 5.

The Airman and NCO responsibilities focus on people in those grades being technically, physically, mentally and spiritually ready to accomplish the mission. The senior NCO responsibilities are centered on effective leadership and mentoring.

Besides general responsibilities, each chapter spells out specific responsibilities for each rank.

The final chapter of the instruction spells out specific duty titles and provides a consistent, standard approach to ensure the terms are clarified and meaningful.

It spells out who can and cannot have certain duty titles. The duty title “chief” can now only be used by chief master sergeants who are program, project or policy managers at units above the wing level. All other enlisted Airmen must now use titles such as supervisor, NCO in charge, section chief, flight chief, squadron superintendent, superintendent or manager.

The instruction defines the rank and type of duty a person must perform for each duty title listed.

“We based titles on a person's primary duties, level of responsibility and rank,” Chief Murray said. “A consistent, standard approach gives the title universal meaning. When you reach a superintendent of a wing shop, you'll know you are dealing with a (senior) NCO in charge. Today's operations tempo calls for a quick understanding of a person's role. We are facing new challenges everyday, and we have to maintain our edge for every angle.”

The instruction is available online at www.e-publishing.af.mil. (Courtesy of AETC News Service)