PFE changes with feedback

  • Published
  • By Jillian K. Speake
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Master sergeants and senior master sergeants studying for promotion in 2005 will have a combined study reference because of feedback to the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron here.

The consolidation of the Promotion Fitness Examination Study Guide and Supervisory Examination Study Guide into one reference is the result of an ongoing feedback process from the field squadron officials maintain. The feedback is encouraged to keep the guides accurate, understandable and relevant to day-to-day operations.

Turning Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241 Volumes 1 and 2 into one book to aid senior noncommissioned officers studying for promotion also saves the Air Force $44,000 in production costs, squadron officials said.

The professional-development staff members at the squadron said they want more people to speak up on how to improve, clarify or update the 2003 study guide as they prepare to publish the 2005 edition.

“I’ve been in the service for 25 years, and the whole time I was studying; I know that there were things that aggravated me about that book,” said Chief Master Sgt. Debra Bass, the squadron’s professional development chief. “I know there were areas where I thought other topics would be so much more relevant to the things I was doing at my job, the things that would make it easier or the things I should know in order to be successful.”

Squadron officials work on the promotion guide year-round and encourage feedback and suggestions from the field to produce a better overall product.

In August, 22 changes based primarily on feedback were grouped into special-interest items and presented at the Military Knowledge and Training System Advisory Council workshop. The council included Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray and command chief master sergeants for the major commands.

Another significant change adopted is a new chapter devoted to effective studying. Studying tips previously were included in the communications chapter at the very end of the PFE and were often overlooked. In the 2005 edition, that topic will be introduced in Chapter 1.

Some of the other changes include a rewritten communications chapter with updated information, a more user-friendly CD-ROM with the table of contents hyperlinked to each chapter, and a change to the chapter sequence so information flows better. A section on all of the former chief master sergeants of the Air Force and a rewritten leadership chapter to match what is taught in professional military education and college courses were also changes made to the PFE.

“I truly believe it’s our job to continuously improve (the guide),” Bass said. “I know it’s just supposed to be used for promotion, but is there any reason why it can’t also be used to better the people? If they have to memorize it to get promoted, then why can’t we also give them the tools they need to be better -- better senior noncommissioned officers, better leaders (and) better managers?”

To be certain all feedback is considered and thoroughly researched, a copy of all ideas, questions and answers is kept in a feedback binder. Before the study guide goes final, the members of the professional development team go through the binder and reread the feedback to ensure they have clarified the area in question or researched and provided the appropriate answers.

“I think it’s important to let people know we do listen to them, and we consider whatever feedback they provide us,” said Master Sgt. Shannon Polit, the squadron’s professional development superintendent.

Questions about clarification and accuracy can often be answered within a day by cross-referencing the information with its source. Since the entire guide is testable, all of the information has to be referenced back to a source such as an Air Force instruction or a Department of Defense directive.

“We always, always get them the answer,” Polit said. “Sometimes it’s not what they want to hear, but we do the research because their questions may lead to a necessary change.”

If people never submitted suggestions, the study guide would never improve.

“If people keep in contact with us and give us feedback, then we can incorporate their ideas and make the material easier for them to work with, to learn and memorize and be more meaningful,” Bass said. “People can have a direct impact on what they’re studying in 2005.”

Since updating the guide is a never-ending process, people in the field can submit feedback to the professional development team at any time. Ideas and suggestions that come after publication are incorporated into the next edition.

To provide feedback, suggestions or changes to the PFE, people can e-mail pfesg@randolph.af.mil. For more information about the squadron, visit https://www.omsq.af.mil. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)