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Show -- " "rn"1"" " "lli'""l"'iiir iin linn liiminr,-- , , rmmm-- .. - I F !r r NEWS April 5, 1991 H.lltop Times Enlisted structure undergoes realignment WASHINGTON all other changes call for a change in the enlisted grades as a result of sergeants will continue to wear the sergeant stripes and retain the title of sergeant. Additionally, from that point on, senior airmen will retain that title until promoted to staff sergeant. CMSAF Gary Pfingston attributed the change to several factors, among them the fact that roughly 77 percent of the Air Force enlisted force are Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Merrill McPeak approved the change in the NCO structure March 19 with an effective date of May 2. Senior airmen who are appointed to sergeant on May 1 will be the last to be appointed to NCO status. They and NCOs. The Air Force currently has approximately 83,000 E-- sergeants, of which fewer than half could be placed into positions of increased responsibilities. With fewer projected accession rates, the Air Force envisions further reduction opportunities; therefore, the (AFNS)-- A com- prehensive study of the enlisted rank structure to meet the realities of fewer enlisted people in the 1990s will now make E-- staff sergeant the first NCO-lev5 el grade. As the Air Force moves into the next decade, force restructuring end-strengt- h reductions. E-- 4 4 serduties it is able to assign the tradiof no are longer those the geant A reduction in the number of Air Force NCOs to approximately 52 percent of the enlisted force, thus providing a more realistic ratio of NCOs to airmen within the enlisted force E-- 4 l NCO. tional "One area that 1 think is really important is it realigns responsibilities of NCOs commensurate with their grade." Chief Pfingston said. As the Air Force's top enlisted man. Chief Pfingston believes this, and several other factors considered, will bring back the status and responsibility today's NCOs deserve. The chief said several other factors were considered in the decision including: An overall cost savings by eliminating the monthly NCO Status Appointment Program. first-leve- structure. D All E-4- s will compete for NCO status through the Weighted Airman Promotion System. l in line O Placing the first with a career grade. Enlisted professional military education also is undergoing some realignment, he said. The present four-tie- r PME system will be cut back to three levels that will be aligned with the three-tierestructure of the enlisted grades. NCO-leve- d NEWS BRIEFS Enlisted Recognition Banquet set The annual Hill AFB Enlisted Recognition Banquet will be held April 27 at the base's Noncommissioned Officers' Club. Outstanding Airmen of the Year, both active duty and Reserve, will be honored at the event, sponsored by the base first sergeants. Col. James E. Sehorn, 459th Military Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C., will be the guest speaker. The 23rd U.S. Army Band, Utah National Guard, will provide music. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner set for 6:45 p.m. Cost is $14 for officers, civilians, E-6 fi f fife 5 Members of the U.S. armed forces, including Guard and Reserve members, serving on active duty after Aug. 2, 1990, for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. Ribbons and medals should be available for issue and purchase by the end of the year. Wearing of the medal is not mandatory until Jan. 1, 1992. Officers are advised not to retake official photos if the only reason to do so is to include the medal. For more information, call Personal Affairs at Ext. 72104 or 72367. and all base workers are invited. Academy group schedules concert The Air Force Academy band's Rampart Winds, with MSgt. Laura D. Gomez, group leader, will appear as part of the Temple Square Concert Series in Salt Lake City. The concert is set for Wednesday in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square at 7:30 p.m. They will perform works by Strauss, Schubert, Carter and others. T Jfl Medals available by year's end and above. Cost for those E-- and below is $12. Tickets are available through unit first sergeants am, MANY MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM! Late? I H Not if you're headed for wMw 1991 Pontiac 6000's J 1991 Pontiac Sunbirds auto., air cond., loaded Auto., air, turbo, allow wheels, & more. "W! 2,485 STARTING AT 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix's STARTING AT AT mil LV i nn r Not Good With Any Other Otter -- Expires 41891 . Clearfield 9 mm r 7 superune NOT . 774-868- Auto., tilt, cruise & more STARTING From 9 p.m. Until "We bake our own bread . . . at least every 4 hours" 564 No. Main 1991 Pontiac Grand Ams Automatic, air cond., loaded $2.29 for all 6" subs Otter mmi DgiyjcOTr included OIF (3QJK3K THE GREAT AMERICAN INVESTMENT K llCfOItl |