Editor’s Note: The “People First” section is compiled from information from the Air Force Personnel Center, TRICARE, 56th Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness Flight, Veterans Affairs, the civilian personnel office and armed forces news services. For the complete story, go to the web address listed at the end of the story.
Air Force to launch new standards program
Air Force bases and customer-service oriented services will now be held to a uniform set of standards, thanks to the recently launched Air Force Common Output Level Standards program.
It’s a program that will standardize the delivery of installation support services so that Airmen and other customers will have common experiences and expectations from base to base, said Maj. Jennifer Phelps, Air Force COLS program manager at the Pentagon.
“The goal here is consistency,” she said. “We want a standard, uniform level of support provided to Airmen at every location.”
The program launched Jan. 12 with fiscal 2013 installation support service standards set for 40 functions, which range from the chaplain corps to public affairs to finance and family services.
This baseline year will take a look at their missions, resources, budgets, and products to determine how well they are meeting Headquarters Air Force-established service standards.
Although data will be initially collected from only 66 bases, the intent is for all Air Force locations to meet these standards for any installation support services provided.
http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123334258
Airmen: review records, accomplish transactions before MilPDS upgrade
Department of Defense and Air Force officials are encouraging Airmen to review their personal data in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and accomplish personnel transactions before the service upgrades the Military Personnel Data System in March.
Personnel actions accomplished using MilPDS like reenlistments, enlistment extensions, promotions, unit transfers, discharges and retirements should be completed before the MilPDS upgrade in March to avoid processing delays with military pay and benefits eligibility issues. Airmen are encouraged to access the milConnect website at http://milconnect.dmdc.mil to review their personnel information prior to March. Airmen can use milConnect to check personnel information listed in DEERS as well as view their TRICARE coverage, Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits, life insurance coverage, and other benefits.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334202
Mental health clinics offer resiliency enhancement visits
Active-duty service members may be eligible for a program that offers four “off-the-record” visits at their local base mental health clinic.
The resiliency enhancement visits program, encourages active-duty service members who hesitate to seek mental health services to get the help they may need.
REVs are intended to provide support and education to members experiencing temporary reactions to stressors (i.e., adjustment reactions, grief, relationship and occupational problems). REVs are off-the-record meaning no mental health record will be established and no documentation in the electronic medical record will be made. REVs are completely voluntary; commanders and supervisors cannot direct people to participate.
A mental health clinic staff member will ask screening questions prior to the visit. If the service member is eligible, the REV will commence.
To be eligible for REV, service members must:
• Self-refer.
• Be on active-duty orders.
People who are ineligible include those who:
• Have a current mental health, substance abuse or family advocacy record.
• Have an active or recent mental health diagnosis (within the last two years).
• Are at risk for or are reporting suicidal/homicidal behavior or ideation, or domestic violence.
http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123334380
Reserve announces revised force structure actions
Air Force Reserve Command officials are moving forward with force structure changes authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2013.
Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard leaders collaborated to develop one Total Force Proposal in response to concerns raised by state governors and Congress regarding the fiscal 13 President’s Budget submission and subsequent congressional marks that placed proposed force structure actions on hold.
As enacted into law, the NDAA included the entire “amended” Air Force Total Force Proposal as well as the retention of additional intratheater airlift aircraft, retention of the Global Hawk Block 30s and a delay of the retirement of 26 C-5A Galaxies until 45 days after delivery of a new Mobility Requirements and Capabilities Study. It also directed a National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force and limited retirement of B-1 Lancers.
