Military personnel data system managed like a weapons system

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ron Tull
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Three years ago, Air Force Personnel Center officials here replaced the 30-year-old computer mainframes running on obsolete software with the military personnel data system.

It was not just an upgrade, but an entirely new system designed to use Web technology for instant access and feedback, a system that could take on new functions and grow. Planners expected significant improvements in service and capabilities, but the complexity of the personnel system yielded unanticipated problems.

Like the launch of any new major weapon systems, the system experienced operational challenges.

"When MilPDS was initially fielded, everything from assignments to pay and retirements frustrated Airmen,” said Col. Greg Touhill, director of personnel data systems at the center. “Untimely outages contributed to customers losing confidence in the system. The Air Force had to act to turn things around and we have … .

"We've stabilized the system, fixed most major defects and virtually eliminated unscheduled outages,” he said. “While we still have challenges to improve the system, we're on the right track."

Part of the stabilization has been a new way of thinking behind its operation.

"We run the personnel data systems like a weapons system," Colonel Touhill said. "We look at our system availability just like a wing looks at aircraft availability. Our technicians are trained and tested to maintain qualification standards. Preventive maintenance downtime is scheduled to accommodate customer needs, even taking into account Guard and Reserve drill weekends. We rigorously test all system changes in a test lab -- just like flight testing – (before) going live on the systems. This helps us ensure the service we provide is secure, reliable and effective."

"Our primary objective is to put a quality product in the hands of our Airmen," said Col. Howard Borst, chief of the systems programs office responsible for acquiring software and hardware for Air Force personnel systems. "We've changed our processes to ensure the integrity of the system and improve customer service. We've also worked to insert fixes that improve capability with immediate pay-off to the folks in the field."

An example of that type of technology insertion is the addition of a system that gives personnel specialists in the field the capability to use their Web browser to access information. Preliminary tests at overseas bases are showing this capability could have a huge effect in Airmen’s ability to get their jobs done, Colonel Borst said.

For example, a query that used to take two to three hours now takes about a minute, said Maj. Cynthia Gaare, 39th Mission Support Squadron commander at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

"We're happy with the improvement in performance [of the system]; it has definitely made making updates faster and pulling data less frustrating," she said. "The new capability is a huge morale booster to the (military personnel flight Airmen)."

A critical part of any weapons system is training. Analysis showed that initial data system training was deficient and contributed early to end-user challenges; Airmen simply did not understand the initial limitations of the new system, said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin White, superintendent of the center’s field operations.

"I look at the military personnel flights as our flightline, and it's our job to make sure that Airmen are trained and have the proper tools to get the job done," he said. "One of those tools is an up-to-date operator's manual, and we're set to release an updated (one) for MilPDS early next year."

Feedback from the field is showing that the efforts to stabilize and fix the system are having a positive effect on Air Force operations, Colonel Touhill said.

"As a wing commander, my job is making sure people have the information and tools they need to take care of the mission, and accurate personnel data is a very high priority," said Col. Chris Miller, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. "MilPDS data is light-years better than it was even two years ago. Beyond the clear improvement so far, I'm encouraged that the Air Force is pressing hard to make MilPDS data even easier for commanders, supervisors and all Airmen to use." (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)