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Show 3 Augutt 2, 2001 Help celebrate milestone for new staff sergeants by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Jim Finch Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force WASHINGTON (AFPN) We recently announced the release of the staff sergeant selection list a time for recognition, celebration and congratulations. Promotion to staff sergeant is an important milestone in any Air Force career, since it marks the transition from airman to noncommissioned officer. Surprisingly, I've heard a few comments expressing concern over the significant number of people accomplishing this milestone, and I've received several inquiries asking why the selection rate was so high. Basically, we have had an increased number of vacancies at the staff sergeant level, coupled with a decreased pool of eligible senior airmen competing to fill them. This translated to higher selection rates, as evidenced by this year's 64 percent and last year's 50 percent The increased vacancies can be attributed in part to the decreased retention of NCOs in recent years and our initiative to reshape the balance of NCOs to airmen in our Air Force. In 1999, we received authorization to increase the percentage of the Air Force enlisted force allowed to serve in the top five grades from 48.5 percent to 56 percent This initiative allowed us to start reducing the average time in service required to promote our NCOs. Despite this explanation, some still speculate that the real reason we increased promotion rates was simply to improve reten- mid-lev- mid-lev- career g the few comments I've heard about promoting people too quickly, I only need to look at this year's selectees to see we are on track. Of the 20.793 people named on this staff sergeant selection list more than 90 percent received the top rating on their most recent enlisted performance report This tells me that at least three people in their rating chain believed they were ready for immediate promotion and were to assume added responsibilities of the next rank. I personally subscribe to the theory that improving an organization requires everyone to ensure their replacements have the tools, training, and support necessary for continued success. In that vein, I urge everyone currently serving in a supervisory position to help our new staff sergeant selectees adjust to their upcoming role as NCOs. At times, this can be as simple as explaining the logic behind specific decisions or reminding them of the vital part they play in executing our Air Force mission. Keep in mind, ' these will be the professionals responsible for ensuring most tasks are done correctly. Also, a little recognition for jobs well ' done can instill great confidence in new supervisors. Lastly, we must provide all selectees the opportunity to complete the Air-- ; man Leadership School before their line number comes due. ; Remember, developing the next generation of enlisted leaders is an investment in our future. The effort we give today will ; ensure they are prepared to keep our Air force the best in the , world for years to come. well-prepare- d , " el el fields-Regardin- ; " Photo by Muttr Sgt Mm Rod During a visit to Stuttgart, Germany, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Jim Finch talks about career progression to Senior Airman Chara Pina. tion. While this wasn't the primary goal behind changing our enlisted force structure, we do hope earlier promotions will translate to improved manning and retention. As most probaNCOs in many bly already know, we are still short mid-lev- el Rewards of parenting come later respect. by Lisa E. Stafford American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON Being a good parent today isn't easy. But you will see the rewards while your children are growing up. There are times when you want to pull your hair out by the roots from frustration. There are also times when your children will make you so proud you think you're going to burst Both of those occasions require the same mixture of ingredients generous amounts of patience, love, understanding and discipline. These qualities will also transform those small, adorable bundles into mature, capable, productive and caring adults. One ingredient, discipline, has changed. Sending Johnny to his room might have been appropriate discipline once, but it would have different results today. The average children's room has so many things to keep them busy they probably won't want to come downstairs. Today, many people have changed their parenting techniques. The family structure has changed drastically as a whole. There have never been so many definitions of "family unit" as there are today. But some rules basically will never change. To help parents of school-agchildren, first-tim- e parents and expectant parents get over some of the everyday hurdles, here are 10 suggestions: Give your child respect; your child will likely return that e Gate hours QCan the Roy Gate stay open later to help cut down freeway traffic from the West Gate? The Roy Gate is now open until 6:45 p.m. weekdays. The extended hours are temporary and the gate will again close at 5:30 p.m. in or when the construction situation on For more details, contact Senior improves. Master Sgt James LaRocque, Security Forces operations superintendent at Ext A mid-Octob- er Kudo Kudos for the landscaping redesign and traffic flow enhancement at Bldg. 1 208. It's a great Improvement. Credit goes to members of the Logistics Management A Directorate who did the work as a self-helTake Pride in Hill Day" project Dave Lamplugh, project coordinator, and the other team members received $1,000 from the 75th Civil Engineer Group for the best project in May 2000. For more information on Take Pride in Hill Day" and monthly cash r, call 2nd Lt. Ted Romaine, project prizes given p, May-Octobe- manager, at Ext Password problems We've been told that the base Is canceling all commark. puter passwords since they're near the Before, we were notified when the password was expiring and could change It. And If we missed the expiration date, we could change the password when we logged onto the system. Now, we have to wait in line to change the password at a network computer in another building. Why can't we change the passwords at our desk? Q 90-d- ay The Air Force directed a complete password change in y April and now we're approaching the expiration. Some passwords were changed in advance to prevent all 12,000 passwords from expiring at the same time. Now that all users are on the single Hill Domain, they can all change their own password. When a password expires, it must be changed at the next log on. Users should have no trouble unless they cannot devise a new password that meets requirements or try three times to use their old password and lock themselves out of the system. If you have trouble, contact an organization workgroup manager, the Functional System Administrator or call the help Desk at (Ext. The password must contain alpha characters in both upper and lower case, numbers, punctuation and at least four unique A 90-da- characters. Passwords cannot contain the user's name, full lame, the user's name with characters reversed, or four or more adjacent characters from the user's name. The password must be between eight and 14 characters. Three different passwords must be used before an old password can be used again. The password cannot be found in an English, Spanish or French dictionary. Symbols cannot be substituted for letters, such as a 3 for an E. AJLr'UwU KT. Hilltop Times Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. mil f ACTION LINE is your opportunity to make Hill APB a better place to live, work and play. When you call Ext. 00 or send ail on Out- look to "HILL ACTION Trail trash LINE," your comments will Ql through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command Col. David Beecroft the opportunity to work with ABW Commander 75th you in answering questions and solving problems before calling ACTION LINE. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest to the Hill workforce will be published in the Hill- often walk my dogs near the duck pond and make the effort to clean up after my pet. Could trash cans be placed along the trail so we don't have to carry garbage throughout housing? It might also cut down on litter. AThere are trash containers at the Log Cabin, Bldg. 804, and along 11th Street from Centennial Park to the Youth Activities Center that are emptied weekly. The refuse contract doesn't include collecting small containers, and a large container near the duck pond would be for trash trucks. Base residents are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, regardless of where they are on base. We recommend they carry a disposable bag for picking up their animal's droppings or other litter. Kudo Command Post controllers work prioritizing numerous actions and disseminating information to commanders in a timely manner. They process numerous sensitive calls daily and help connect individuals needing assistance with the appropriate agency. All Command Post controllers work hard to help Team Hill, and this is why their members received the Senior NCO Command Post Controller and Airman Controller of the Year Awards from Air Force Materiel Command in 2000. A be recorded and staffed top Times. Phone numbers The base agencies listed below can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces Crisis Information Services Base Restaurants RetirementCompensation (civilian) . . . Social Actions Employee Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program IG Complaints (for appointment) IG Complaints (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) 24-h- r. While we were at Hill recently, we needed help solving a domestic problem in Hawaii. Lacking any phone numbers, I called the Hill Command Post and explained the situation. The two individuals there wasted no time contacting the Coast Guard Command Post In Hawaii, and even called direct because DSN wasn't reliable. We were talking with the Coast Guard and a special agent In a matter of minutes. Our thanks to the Hill Command Post for helping us resolve a potential problem In minimum time. around-the-cloc- k, "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force Quality Systems for America's Air Force Give your children as many opportunities as possible to make their own decisions. Communicate with your child at dinner time, bedtime or on long drives in the car. These are some of the most productive moments for communication. Hug your child no matter what is going on in your child's life or yours. A hug can comfort calm and soothe a frightened child. Don't compare your child to another child, especially sib--' lings. Listen with your heart It's the kindest act of love a parent can give. Spend as much individual quality time with your child as possible. Be clear and specific with rules and expectations for your child. Set limits for your child and follow through with love if one is broken. Make a point of complimenting your child when the child does something good. Don't concentrate only on the bad things. Each child is an individual. What works for one may not be appropriate for another, so these suggestions aren't chiseled in stone. Whatever personality your child has first and foremost love your child no matter what. .... activated)5-309- 0 Global Power and Reach for America. itary services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 1 102, second floor. Call Ext. with to "hilltop.pahiIl.af.mil". story ideas or comments, or send Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL , 75th Medical Group Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotline Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance , Safety Office Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center (when 625-430- 0 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Scott Bergren Shawn Mecham MaJ. Gen. Maj. Bill Orndorff Sue Berk Commander, Director, Public Affairs OO-AL- C Editor Assistant Editor Staff writers Mary Galbraim, Gary Boyie Deadlines: Editorial and "Around the Hill" Hems, 3 p.m. Friday, sports articles, 9 a.m. Monday, classified ads, 2 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more Information, call the editor, Ext ' ; ; ; ; ; : . j i |