JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Total Force Airmen and Guardians from the Air Force’s Personnel Center visited with the Air Force senior leaders during an all-call at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, May 20.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., opened up the discussion by highlighting AFPC’s efforts in caring for Airmen and Guardians over the past year, in addition to supporting global operations, including the Afghanistan withdrawal.
“You’re dealing with individuals and their assignments and families,” Brown said. “Getting people in the right place at the right time.”
Brown stated that when driving changes, if we aren’t comfortable, then we probably aren’t doing it right. This statement outlines Brown’s strategic approach when implementing action orders in Accelerate Change or Lose.
“We all need to spend a little time being uncomfortable when we talk about acceleration … we do not want to lose,” Brown said.
Throughout the year, as the Air Force commemorates 75 years of service, Brown warned that we must not rest on our laurels in our basic strategy. He briefed the crowd about mission command, a concept heavily defined in the revised Air Force Doctrine Publication 1, The Air Force.
Brown encouraged Airmen to read the 16-page document, downsized from 200 pages, which emphasizes looking forward and how Airmen should think of the future.
The key aspect of mission command is for leadership to use delegation, iteration and toleration to provide intent and trust to their Airmen, Brown said.
During the all-call, Brown and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass jointly recognized four members of AFPC for their outstanding achievements.
“It is so exciting to be here to spend time with you,” Bass said. “I’m especially honored to be here with General Brown, to see firsthand the significance of what this organization does for the U.S. Air Force.
The best part of my job is focusing on the people,” Bass continued. “Our most competitive advantage is our people.”
Bass emphasized old policies and processes aren’t going to retain the talent the force will need in the next 10 to 20 years, reflecting on the changes she’s seen in her 29-year career.
“If you think back to the early 90s, we had at that time almost double the number of Airmen serving in the Air Force,” Bass explained. “The status quo then won’t work for us today, and it won’t work in the future. We have to be focused on properly managing the talent we have.”
She outlined how senior leaders are focused on improving personnel programs, such as: assignments, promotions, evaluations, inflation, housing and childcare.
“There’s not one thing important to you, your fellow Wingman, or even your loved ones, that is not important to us,” Bass said. “The quality of life of our Airmen is directly linked to the mission effectiveness of our Air Force.”
Over the past two years, Bass focused on strategies and plans to help drive growth and development across the Total Force.
Bass spoke about the rollout of the Enlisted Force Development Action Plan, the Blueprint, and the recently revised Blue and Brown books. These resources are living documents and will be available in digital and hard copies for Airmen to access.
Brown, accompanied by his wife, Sharene, closed his remarks by speaking about agile combat employment to the multi-capable Airmen, and how cultural shifts and small things help gain momentum for change.
The event closed with an opportunity for Airmen and Guardians to participate in a Q&A dialogue and a photography session. Bass continued her visit back to the AFPC campus with Maj. Gen. Troy E. Dunn, AFPC commander.