AFSO 21 crucial to achieving new vision

Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century will be crucial to achieving the 50th Space Wing’s new vision, said Col. John Hyten, wing commander. “If someone asks you how we can do things smarter, tell them AFSO 21 gives us free rein to cut through red tape,” Colonel Hyten said. “With AFSO 21, we

Services career field named Air Force Team of the Year

Each year, Air Force officials evaluate career fields for unity and exceptional performance that warrants recognition by the entire force. In conjunction with the Air Force Association, one career field is recognized with an Air Force-level award. Services, Air Force Specialty Code 3M0X1, was

2007 budget completes dorm recapitalization funding

The Air Force's fiscal 2007 budget request will complete the funding needed to replace inadequate dormitories for Airmen. During recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs, William C. "Bill" Anderson, assistant secretary

Chaplain team here to serve

Being deployed doesn’t mean an Airman’s spiritual involvement or fellowship with other members of his or her faith has to be neglected. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s base chapel is a source of continued spiritual support of worship opportunities and counseling services for deployed

DOD works to further reduce military suicides

Suicide rates within the military are about half those in the civilian military-aged population, but the Defense Department is reaching out to its members to help further reduce the incidence of suicide within the ranks, a top military doctor said. The suicide rate for military members during 2005

Air Force Services announces LeMay, Eubank winners

Each year, the Air Force recognizes the best Services units by presenting the Gen. Curtis E. LeMay and the Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank awards. The LeMay trophy recognizes the best unit in the large base category, bases with 6,000 or more military and civilians assigned. The Eubank trophy recognizes

Class of 2007 cadets learn their future Air Force jobs

Some 1,000 junior class cadets learned May 19 what their future Air Force jobs will be, a full year ahead of their graduation date.Until recent changes to the personnel system, cadets waited until the fall semester of their senior year to learn their career assignments. Undergraduate pilot training

Airmen will appear on Academy of Country Music award show

Forty Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., will appear on the 41st Academy of Country Music Awards program at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on May 23. CBS will air the live awards show starting at 8 p.m. EDT. The Airmen will be part of the performance by duo Big & Rich of their song, 8th of

Air Force launches civilian self-service system June 1

The Air Force will launch two self-service modules that will allow civilians to access their personnel information beginning June 1. My Biz will provide civilian employees access and the ability to update information about themselves. My Workplace will provide military and civilian managers access

Nonchargeable leave authorized for adoptions

Airmen adopting children now may be authorized up to 21 days of nonchargeable leave per calendar year. A qualifying adoption is defined as the member being eligible for adoption reimbursement of qualified adoption expenses such as adoption, placement, legal and medical fees under Section 1052, Title

VA urges caution after theft of personal information

Veterans Affairs officials announced May 22 the theft of personal information on up to 26.5 million veterans. However, VA Secretary R. James Nicholson stressed there's no indication the information is being used for purposes of fraud. "We at the VA have recently learned that an employee here, a data

General McKinley named Air National Guard director

A lieutenant general with 32 years of service has been named as the 12th director of the Air National Guard. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley was confirmed as director by the U.S. Senate effective May 20 and promoted to three-star rank. “I am thrilled about this opportunity to lead the more than 106,000

Redeployment survey shows most Airmen return healthy

The Air Force has reassessed about 12,500 Airmen since December after they returned from deployment and found most of those Airmen to be healthy. At the close of 2005, the Air Force began asking Airmen who returned from deployment to places like Afghanistan and Iraq to complete a post-deployment

Air Force announces OTS selection board results

One hundred seventy-seven men and women have been selected for the opportunity to become Air Force officers, officials here announced May 19.Of those, 37 enlisted members earned the chance to attend Officer Training School and trade their stripes for gold bars as second lieutenants.   The Air Force

New Air Staff badge recognizes Pentagon assignment

Members assigned to Headquarters Air Force staff here will soon have the option to wear a new badge. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley approved the design and development of the badge in September. The basis for the Headquarters Air Force badge is Air Force heritage and the design

Chief McKinley looking forward to new job

Command Chief Master Sgt. Rod McKinley admits he is a bit nervous about becoming the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. But it is not because the job will be too tough or that becoming the Air Force’s top enlisted leader intimidates him, he said. It is the fact he will be the next chief in

Whatever you do this summer, stay safe

Each year, the Air Force stresses the importance of zero mishaps during the 101 Critical Days of Summer through PowerPoint slides, commander’s calls and safety briefings. For the most part, Airmen do their part to put safety at the forefront. But what about those safety issues that tend to fall

Airmen can now update their duty history online

Airmen will be responsible for reviewing their duty history and requesting changes, additions or deletions online through the virtual Military Personnel Flight beginning May 30. Airmen can enter the vMPF by logging onto the Air Force Personnel Center's secure Web site where they can access their

Active-duty retirement applications centralized online

The active-duty retirement program is going virtual and applications will be processed at the Air Force Contact Center effective May 22 as part of the first phase of the Personnel Services Delivery Transformation. Airmen eligible to retire will initiate the process online via the virtual Military

Rehabilitation specialists team up to support warfighters

Brooke Army Medical Center hosted a military amputee advance skills training workshop here for Veterans Affairs’ prosthetists and therapists. Nearly 100 VA rehabilitation team members from 15 medical centers attended the workshop May 10 through 12 to learn the patient care methods used at Department

New service dress prototypes pique interest

Based on feedback received during visits with Airmen across the Air Force, the Air Force Uniform Board is reviewing several concepts that Airmen have suggested regarding the appearance of the service dress uniform. Some of the informal feedback about the current service dress includes Airmen wanting

VA secretary announces 18 millionth home loan guaranty

One of the most widely used veterans benefits in America reached a major milestone May 13 when Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson announced that an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from Texas was the recipient of the 18 millionth home loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans

Program educates military spouses, builds confidence

Signing up to join the military can be an intimidating ordeal for military members, but they're not the only ones who experience anxiety when the dotted line is signed. Before 2002, military spouses here were on their own to learn about Air Force services, customs and courtesies.  Now, coordinators

DOD, Congress making progress on Tricare changes

The Defense Department, working hard with Congress for the past several months, has reached some conclusions about how the fee system for military health care should be changed, a top DOD official said here May 11. "It's universally agreed that there is a serious issue, a serious problem, with the

'Air Force Report' special focuses on suicide prevention

Suicide prevention is a major priority for the Air Force. Stress, as a result of deployments and relationship and financial problems, affects everyone, and unfortunately, some believe suicide is the only way out.There is, however, help. Early intervention, whether from a co-worker, a chaplain or a

Program gives technology access to disabled GIs

A Defense Department program helps wounded servicemembers and other people with disabilities have equal access to the information environment and opportunities throughout the federal government, a senior DOD official said May 8. Dinah F.B. Cohen, director of the Computer and Electronic Accommodation

Smart Operations 21 office formed at Pentagon

In February, Air Force leaders created a new program office at the Pentagon that will take the lead in optimizing the way the Air Force conducts its mission. The Air Force Smart Operations 21 office, created in response to an initiative by Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne, will look at

Air Force inspires Army motorcycle mentorship program

The U.S. Army recently began testing its motorcycle mentorship program at selected installations since being inspired by the success of the Air Force's program. Air Force officials claim about a 50-percent reduction in motorcycle accidents since introducing the program in 2004. Fiscal 2006

DOD announces increase in foreign language pay

The Department of Defense announced May 10 an increase effective June 1 in Foreign Language Proficiency Pay, or FLPP, for servicemembers who qualify. The fiscal 2005 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes the secretary of defense to increase FLPP pay from a maximum of $300 per month to a

Air Force notifies force shaping lieutenants

Today, 2,084 lieutenants in the 2002 and 2003 accession year groups will learn if they were selected for retention by the Force Shaping Board. Each officer is being notified personally of their status by their senior rater. Officers deployed will be notified by either the deployed commander or their

Next top enlisted chief focused on Air Force priorities

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force-select Rodney J. McKinley said his new job brings with it a great responsibility to the service’s enlisted force. As such, when he assumes his new post as the Air Force’s 15th top enlisted leader July 1, he’s not planning to make immediate changes, he said during

Palace HART helps injured Airmen

A common trait exists among the injured Airmen recuperating at hospitals in the capital region, said the Air Force chief of staff. “Every Airman I’ve met wants to return to active duty and (his or her) unit,” said Gen. T. Michael Moseley in recent testimony on Capitol Hill. “I am proud of them and

AFPC creates single focal point for civilian personnel

The Air Force Personnel Center is centralizing civilian personnel management into a single operation to better develop the civilian work force. The missions of the directorates of civilian employment and civilian force management and the civilian field operations branch will be combined to form the

Andrews and Bolling medical assets to combine in new wing

The 89th Medical Group from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and the 11th Medical Group at Bolling AFB are scheduled to combine into the 79th Medical Wing May 12. Maj. Gen. Robert L. Smolen, the Air Force District of Washington commander, will preside over the wing activation ceremony at Andrews. Brig.

AFMC wellness, safety campaign debuts May 8

"Wellness is an attitude!" If Air Force Materiel Command leaders have their way, those words will become more than just a slogan for the command's new wellness and safety campaign. They will become a way of life. AFMC Commander Gen. Bruce Carlson identified wellness and safety of the command's

Force shaping board results to be released May 10

Lieutenants eligible for the 2006 Force Shaping Board will be notified personally of their retention status by their senior rater on May 10. The force shaping board, which convened at the Air Force Personnel Center here April 10, selected 1,240 out of 2,083 officers in the 2002 and 2003 accession

Air Force names 2005 Mission Support Award winners

The winners of the 2005 Mission Support Awards were announced May 2.The results are: PersonnelGen. Robert J. Dixon Personnel Award: Senior Master Sgt. Jimmy Jones, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Gen. Horace M. Wade Innovation Award: Tech. Sgt. Wendy Davis, Tyndall AFB, Fla. Gerrit D. Foster Jr.

Test pilot school selection board date set

Air Force officials plan to hold the next test pilot school selection board here Oct. 30 through Nov. 3. The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots, navigators and engineers to test and evaluate the newest aircraft and weapons systems. Applicants from all aircraft types and backgrounds must

BRAC conference focuses on both downsizing, growth

With the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process shutting down 25 major installations and radically realigning 24 others over the next six years, a BRAC conference under way here is focusing on growth as well as downsizing, a defense official said. "Traditionally when we've done these events,

Fewer Airmen delinquent on government travel card payments

More Airmen are paying their government travel card bills on time, allowing the Air Force to reach what many believed was an unattainable goal set by the Department of Defense, an Air Force official said. “We met our goal by lowering our delinquency rate below 2 percent for two consecutive months,”

Medical officer testifies before defense subcommittee

The Air Force’s medical Airmen are performing “magnificently,” said the Air Force surgeon general during testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on defense here May 3. “We take care of the nation’s heroes, past and present,” said Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr.,

International affairs career field opens for civilians

The success of Air Force expeditionary air and space forces conducting global operations and fighting the war on terrorism relies heavily on international relationships. Building these critical relationships requires skilled, knowledgeable and experienced international affairs professionals. Air

Air Force mandates virtual outprocessing

All Airmen undergoing permanent change-of-station moves, retirements or separations are now required to use the Virtual Outprocessing application available through the Virtual Military Personnel Flight. Airmen can enter the vMPF by logging onto the Air Force Personnel Center's secure Web site where

ARPC announces promotions to major

Air Reserve Personnel Center officials announced results today of the fiscal 2007 Air Force Reserve Line and Health Professions Major Promotion Selection Boards. Six hundred officers, out of more than 1,651 considered, were selected for promotion. Selection statistics in-the-promotion zoneTo major

Air Force automates training records process

Airmen in logistics career fields soon will have access to an online tool that takes an Airman's training records out of a desk drawer and makes them available through a desktop computer. The automated training records and management application, called "Training Business Area," or TBA, on the Air

Children of deployed parents need consistency

Consistency is key for children as their military parents deploy, a university psychologist said. Dr. Frederic Medway, psychology professor at the University of South Carolina, has been publishing research on family separation issues since 1987. He said his work has shown that while children of

Guard, Reserve leaders testify before appropriations committee

In recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, representatives of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve updated senators on the status of the forces. The panel questioned Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air

DOD working to improve total workforce

The Defense Department is seeking ways to foster sweeping changes in its civilian, Reserve and active forces, DOD's top personnel official said here April 25. Any changes would be aimed at making the department more agile and effective, said David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel

Air Force selects 28 Airmen for medical training

The Air Force selected 28 enlisted members to take part in the Tri-Service Physician Assistant Training Program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The board met here in March, selecting 28 people from 57 applicants. The average selectee was 28 years old with 7.1 years time in service and had a 3.5 grade

Security, significance make difference in suicide prevention

When it comes to the all-important step of actually stopping someone from taking his or her own life, it is people caring about each other who make the biggest difference. “People need two things, security and significance,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Lyle Von Seggern, 433rd Airlift Wing chaplain.

Family support center eases résumé worries

The average employer will view a résumé for 15 to 20 seconds before moving on to another, according to family support center officials here. For this reason, they said it is vital for job seekers to have a résumé that represents their skills and abilities in the best manner. "The résumé is your

SECAF discusses current, future personnel issues

Ensuring the Air Force operates fiscally is akin to anyone budgeting and paying for household and living expenses. The costs involved must be balanced and paid in order to maintain a certain lifestyle. For the Air Force, some of the business costs reside in the targeted reduction of 40,000 full-time

New civilian personnel system set to kick off April 30

The first phase of the new National Security Personnel System is ready to launch April 30. Spiral 1.1 includes 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees throughout the United States. "The most important message is that we are ready," said Mary Lacey, NSPS program executive officer. "Employees are

Professional, personal education key to Air Force future

The Air Force is the most technologically advanced and capable air force in the world, in part due to the professional and personal education Airmen obtain, the secretary of the Air Force said recently. “We need our people to be highly qualified and we set that standard from the first line of

Worldwide conference

Air Force Audit Agency to work under new personnel system

Nonbargaining unit employees of the Air Force Audit Agency here will become the first employees here to work under the long-awaited National Security Personnel System April 30. While Wright-Patterson, in general, isn't slated to roll out NSPS until January, NSPS officials said they will watch the

DUIs carry all sorts of consequences

A conviction for driving under the influence can be deadly to an Air Force career.Four Moody Airmen have been arrested in the last six weeks for DUIs; these convictions will likely follow the Airmen for the rest of their careers. Both civilian and military DUI convictions can bring sobering effects

Air Force photographer receives exceptional civilian award

A civilian Air Force photographer was presented an Exceptional Civilian Service award by the Secretary of the Air Force here April 17. For 50 years, Ron Hall has documented Air Force history using still photography.“He’s made more than 18 secretaries of the Air Force and 16 chiefs of staff look a

OPSEC expands focus, remains critical

"Do you think you'll deploy this year? How long will you be gone? What do you think you'll be doing? Where? Will you be going with a lot of people?"At this point in the conversation you should be wondering who is asking, why are they asking and who else might get their hands on the answers. Although

Virtual villains ruin accounts, credit ratings

Crooks made off with an estimated $5 billion from individuals whose identities were stolen last year. In what is becoming America's fastest growing type of robbery, identity theft involves a shrewd charade instead of a hold-up at gun point, and military members increasingly are becoming the targets

Military, families can get online mental health screening

Military members and families coping with the stress of overseas deployments and other potential health-threatening issues can log onto the Internet to get help, said a U.S. military psychologist. Servicemembers from all components and their families can obtain a mental health self-assessment or

Sacrifices of military children aren't forgotten

Children in military families make sacrifices and serve their country as much as anyone in uniform does, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said. "In so many loving ways, our children quietly shoulder part of the burden, making their mom or dad understand that what they are doing is

Air Force honors cadet of the year

The Air Force honored its 2005 Cadet of the Year at a ceremony in the Pentagon April 17. The honoree, 2nd Lt. Janelle Jenniges, is a graduate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 465. “She’s the top graduate out of all our commissioning

Service demographics offer snapshot of force

The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its quarterly demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of March 31. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch website: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/. Statistics

Joint chiefs chairman recognizes military children's contributions

The following is a letter to military children from Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff:"I want to take this opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contributions of our Nation's military families, who have faced many challenges -- from family separations to frequent

Officials announce 2006 Hennessy Trophy winners

Air Force Services Agency officials have announced the winners of the 2006 Hennessy Trophy awards. The Hennessy Trophy is an annual award presented to Air Force installations with the best food-service programs. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the single- and multiple-facility category

Letters to Airmen focus on education

In the two most recent "Letters to Airmen," the Air Force's top leaders focused on the importance of education for both enlisted Airmen and officers. “We must take the Air Force’s basic educational foundation to the next level and be relentless in our continued pursuit to become knowledge-enabled

BEST newsletter keeps civilians current

The Benefits and Entitlements Service Team newsletter is the best source of information about benefits affecting Air Force appropriated fund civilians, and Air Force Personnel Center officials are encouraging more people to subscribe. By subscribing to the BEST newsletter, civilians have immediate

DOD attacks rising pharmacy costs

In the first year since the Department of Defense began using the uniform formulary process to review and classify prescription drugs, $500 million has been saved.In addition, the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service, or PDTS, has avoided more than 171,000 potentially life-threatening drug interactions

'Virtual Commissary' expands product selection

The future is now at the Defense Commissary Agency. It’s not the “final frontier” by a long shot, but DeCA’s Virtual Commissary has been expanded to include 37 new item selections, including snack packs and special occasion baskets. This brings the total number of gift baskets on Virtual Commissary

Network passwords will soon be a thing of the past

Airmen have been carrying around some pretty high-tech identification cards in their wallets for quite a while now. That technology will soon be put to good use. For many, the Common Access Card, or "CAC," is just a replacement for the green military ID card used for so many years. But the card can

'My Stuff' lets Airmen track requests

Airmen can now track the status of requests and correspondence sent to the Air Force Contact Center via the "My Stuff" tab on the Air Force Personnel Center public Web site.Airmen need a separate user identification and password to access My Stuff because the new software cannot be accessed at this

Air Force announces new call center locations

The proposed sites for the Air Force Financial Services Center and the Air Force Claims Service Center were announced by Air Force officials April 10.The preferred location for the AFFSC is Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., while the preferred location for the AFCSC will be in the Dayton, Ohio, area.

Homeowner grant applications available for Katrina victims

Eligible homeowners who sustained flood-related damage caused by Hurricane Katrina although their residences were outside the flood zone may qualify for grants of up to $150,000. This includes people who were stationed at Keesler at the time of the hurricane and have since been reassigned to other

Mentors or disciplinarians, first sergeants there for Airmen

They may have no subordinates, but every enlisted Airman in the squadron is their responsibility. Some days they are disciplinarians; on others they are an Airman’s best friend. In a crisis, they help Airmen deal with grief and get them through it. The first sergeant is “a counselor, a friend or a

Brady: Air Force retention, recruitment remain strong

The Air Force is pleased overall with its recruitment and retention statistics, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel said during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee April 6. “We have been very successful, but we can never take the recruitment of great people

Officers selected for intermediate developmental education

The recent major central selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center announced intermediate developmental education "selects." Officers identified as selects join a resource pool of officers who will be considered for future attendance at in-residence IDE. A complete list of selects is

ESC Rapid Improvement Event speeds up hiring process

Electronic Systems Center's first Rapid Improvement Event cut the fat out of the civilian hiring process here, identifying a potential 58-percent reduction in the total time it takes to process a Request for Personnel Action, or RPA, and submit it to the Air Force Personnel Center. In only three

America Supports You site features videos for children

Proud military parents deployed in support of the war on terrorism are featured on the America Supports You Web site devoted to April's Month of the Military Child. Messages from nearly 50 servicemembers can be found on the link "Video Greetings from Troops to Their Military Kids" at

Tricare launches healthy choices for life programs

Take care of your body, and it will take care of you, say health experts. In today’s fast-paced world, they also say that is getting harder to do. Being overweight, using tobacco products and excessive drinking go against this adage and can cause serious health problems and possibly early death. 

OEF, OIF veterans receive preference for federal hiring

Airmen now have increased eligibility for veterans’ preference when released or discharged from active duty, Office of Personnel Management officials here wrote in a recently released memo. More servicemembers are now eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for government civilian jobs.

Continuing health care priority for DOD

During testimony in front of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees recently, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D.W. Corley said that sustaining health care for servicemembers, their families and retirees is a priority for the Department of Defense. General Corley, along with the

AF Recruiting

Letter to Airmen focuses on Sexual Assault Awareness

In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley discuss Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Air Force’s strides in sexual assault prevention and response efforts over the past year. “Your Air Force leadership has

Sexual assault prevention director is a myth buster

The biggest myth about sexual abuse is that the victim lies about it, according to the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Outreach Office at nearby Lackland Air Force Base. Dr. Charlotte Moerbe, a psychologist who once worked in a San Antonio rape crisis center, has made it her life goal

Awareness can prevent sexual assault

Sexual assault awareness and prevention has been a hot-ticket item among Air Force leaders for many months, but people will have even more exposure to the topic this month. April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Air Force bases will observe the month with many activities ranging from

Overseas returnee, CONUS mandatory movers' assignment listing available

The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas and continental United States mandatory movers from August through October will be available April 11. Airmen can work through their military personnel flight or their commander's support staff to update their preferences. 

Space A allows dependent travel

U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe policy now allows permanent party and their family members -- regardless of command sponsorship -- to fly Space-Available travel.  For everyone stationed in Turkey, eligible family members can now come visit at a much lower cost by using

Defense leader thanks lawmakers for support of special ops

Ultimate victory in the "long war" requires the U.S. military to adopt more unconventional and indirect approaches in the way it fights, and the Defense Department is doing just that, the Pentagon's top special operations official told a Senate panel here April 5. In testimony prepared for delivery

Academy cadets help Spangdahlem drill team hone sabers

Eleven U.S. Air Force Academy Saber Drill Team cadets were here this week to work with the 52nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard's Eifel Sabres drill team they helped train last year. The team is the only one in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Since the team’s inception last April, they have performed for the

No cases of ID theft involve pay system

No cases of computer scamming or identity theft involving the Defense Department's computerized pay services system have been reported, a Defense Finance and Accounting Service spokeswoman said April 4. "There has not been any identity theft and/or 'phishing' scams with the 'myPay' site," DFAS

New customer support centers make life simpler

New Air Force combat and mobility logistics support centers, opening in early April, will make ordering, tracking and shipping supplies to troops worldwide a simpler, more customer-friendly process, said officials here. The centers will open at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Scott AFB, Ill. “The

SECAF speaks on Capitol Hill

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke at the Capitol Hill Club on March 15. Some of the topics he spoke on were the Quadrennial Defense Review and the war on terrorism. To listen to his speech, click on the related link.

AAFES, MWR officials testify to congressional committee

Air Force officials overseeing morale, welfare and recreation, or MWR, for Airmen testified before the House Armed Services Committee military personnel subcommittee March 15. Maj. Gen. Paul Essex, commander of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES, and Arthur Myers, director of Air

Airman Battle Uniform finalized, ready for production

The new Airman Battle Uniform is ready for production and will be available in fiscal 2007, said the Air Force deputy chief of staff of personnel. Many factors were considered in developing the final uniform selection, with the concern for Airmen being at the top of the list, said Brig. Gen Robert

Command tasking process gets "quick win"

The way Air Force Materiel Command delegates and tracks suspenses just received an upgrade thanks to people from across the command who met here during an efficiency event March 6 to 10. When Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century kicked off in AFMC, the tasking process was immediately

Family Matters introduces updated AF Crossroads Web site

The Air Force A1 office of family matters will soon unveil its updated Air Force Crossroads Web site for Airmen and families to gather facts about installations, military moves, education and more. Though the current site contains a lot of information, its many layers made the site difficult to

New checklist helps expedite hiring process

The Air Force Personnel Center has created a Request for Personnel Action checklist to help managers during the hiring process. The RPA checklist is a valuable tool used to assist managers and hiring officials in managing their civilian positions in a more efficient and timely manner. It was

Air Force releases list of senior master sergeant selectees

The promotion list for senior master sergeant was publicly released March 8. The Air Force selected 1,303 master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant. Complete information is available on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site, including cutoff scores, Air Force averages, averages by

Command's High Flight program opens door to civilians

Air Mobility Command added a new twist to the High Flight program here when Air Force civilians were added to the professional development and orientation course. Forty-seven captains from across the Air Force and six civilians from the command recently participated in the twice-a-year program.