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Show 3 July 1. 1999 ids materiel foundation Commandl by Gen. George T. Babbitt planned AEF schedule uses 20 per- Commander, Air Force Materiel Commander AFB, Ohio Today, the men and women of Air Force Materiel Command at home and WRIGHT-PATTERSO- N AFMC's innovative research and development along with our sustainment programs are essential to ensuring the United States continues to be a strong abroad are working incredibff'hard supporting our national interests. V A Operations Northern and Southern Watch in Iraq and ongoing operations in the Balkans are tough challenges. Our airmen are engaged in dangerous and complex missions. We could not possibly mount operations of these magnitudes without the superb planning and preparation by our airmen, officers and civilians in our active, Reserve and Guard components. There is no doubt the command, the Air Force, and indeed the nation, appreciate your vital efforts whether you're supporting operations from your home base or abroad. The expeditionary nature of today's Air Force provides our country with rapid, flexible and precise global power and reach anytime, anywhere around the globe. As the command responsible for researching, developing, testing, acquiring and maintaining Air Force weapons systems, AFMC is pro- - Gen. George T. Babbitt viding the materiel foundation for ity to rapidly respond across the specAmerica's aerospace power. The air- trum of conflict. AFMC's innovative craft flown, munitions dropped, spare research and development along with parts used and space and systems our sustainment programs are essenemployed in today's operations had tial to ensuring the United States contheir start on AFMC drawing boards tinues to be a military and or were acquired by the command for economic power.strong We're the technolAir Force use. ogy experts the Air Force on Our expeditionary Air Force exploits to find unique solutions todepends the unique characteristics of aero- with older as well as brand-ne- problems world's best by ensuring it has unmatched sysspace power speed, global range, tems. capabilities for protecting our nation precision, flexibility and space-base- d Our current military operations have and freedom's cause. I encourage you to provide our again reinforced the importance of to continue this global awareness superior work your national leaders the unmatched abil our expeditionary capabilities. Our nation depends on it. C-- Last month I AFB, Ohio once again had the opportunity to attend the Worldwide N Command Chief Master Sergeant Conference hosted by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric Benken. It was held at the premier Professional Military Education institution in the Armed Forces our Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Ala. In coming weeks I'll write a couple of articles highlighting important themes and key issues discussed at the conference, but to open this first article, I'd like to share some personal thoughts about Chief Benken who, as you probably already know, will retire July 31. Working with Chief Benken I've known and had the privilege of working with Chief Benken for the past seven years. I've also gotten to know his wife, Johnne, over the past three years. You will not find two people more committed to our Air Force enlisted A corps than Eric and Johnne Benken. The Chief took on the tough issues during his tenure. He educated our troops on benefits, entitlements, and career opportunities. He led efforts to establish Air Force policy on body piercing and tattooing an issue with perhaps the widest range of opinions and views. He highlighted the importance of fundamental discipline and high standards through his own personal example and leadership. He led the implementation of Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development seminars across the Air Force a magnificent initiative paying great dividends. He led efforts to revise the curriculum for all levels of enlisted professional military education, strengthening the focus on traditional military subjects and leadership. He played a key role in convincing Congress to support a substantial pay increase and a return to the 6 retirement system based on 50 percent Versus 40 percent of high-thre- e base pay. To put it as simply as I can, Chief Eric and Johnne Benken are great patriots, great Americans. pre-198- Conference Highlights Kecruiter manning is a top priority for our Air Force A key to Miuir V right now. The lower retention rates we're experienc- AFMC Chief Master Sergeant 7 4I w by CMSgt. Marc A. Mazza A el military and economic power. ml duSS WRIGHT-PATTERSO- cent of our force to handle steady state contingency operations. The recent operations in Kosovo, in addition to our steady state Northern and Southern Watch commitments, require a force-levcommitment well above 20 percent. This surge in our operations tempo is higher than during either the Gulf or Vietnam wars . The Air Force's expeditionary mission and tempo demand we modernize and restructure, so we can continue to provide our nation the rapid, precise, global capabilities needed to deter aggression and respond to any crisis that should arise. I knpw this is a demanding and busy time for AFMC's people and units. I am extremely proud of the way our command has risen to these recent challenges. You have made sure the Air Force has the most dependable and technologically superior aircraft, munitions and support equipment in the world. You keep our Air Force the ing driveahigher requirement for new accessions and therefore creates additional workload for our already strapped recruiter force. The Air Force has the only ' j i i percent manned as of last month. Bottom Line: We need more to serve as Air Force I a : ).::" "71 " J V Quality Systems for America's Air Force Hilltop Time: 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. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are duty as a recruiter or Military Training Instructor. : V CMSgt. Marc Mazza 1 recruiters. It's a tough job, but it provides a great opportunity for sharp airmen and NCOs to give back to their Air Force to contribute meaningfully to the future of our Air Force. Recruiting duty also provides an excellent career broadening opportunity to prepare individuals for future senior leadership positions. The old perceptions about poor performance ratings and slower promotion rates among recruiters have no basis in fact. Recruiter performance ratings and promotion rates to all grades track with overall Air Force statistics. We also need Military Training Instructors, or MLTs, at Basic Military Training, or BMT. Talk about a great opportunity to work with some of the finest, most dedicated, and most disciplined airmen and NCOs in our Air Force. We especially need female instructors because current female MTI manning is 18 percent while new accessions to the Air Force include about 29 percent females. Recruiting and MTI special duties include such financial incentives as special duty assignment pay and others, but the real rewards come from doing something positive and meaningful for our future Air Force! I'd like to ask each AFMC enlisted member to consider applying for special duty as a recruiter or MTI. In addition, I'd like to ask our chiefs, first sergeants, and supervisors to talk to your people about the opportunities and rewards associated with recruiting and MTI aury. encourage your people to broaden themselves by 4 19 . - . Air T?rx.J 11 1 I 11 J? IT. . ' yvvyiv uuiiaing inewona s most respected Air and Space Force yirJrriF,li Yd like to ask each AFMC enlisted member to consider applying for special l . . i recruiter force, and we're V 76 senior airman through master sergeants to volunteer I ' r all-volunt- v ivo At Fras 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. 1289, second floor. Call Ext. with story ideas or comments, or send to "Hilltop.PAHill.AF.mil". Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AH ADVEHTISELISnT, CALL performing these special duties. I guarantee you'll get back a better NCO when your troop returns to his or her career field upon completion of recruiter or MTI special duty. In my service I've never seen a better link between recruiting, BMT, and technical training. The Phase Program implemented a couple years ago at all technical training centers bridges the gap between BMT and technical training and continues the focus on fundamental discipline and core values. We continue to strengthen the link between BMT and technical training with the upcoming implementation of a physical conditioning program across all technical training bases similar to the PC program in place at BMT. Key to our success at transitioning troops from BMT to technical training is our Military Training Leader, or MTL the MTIs of technical training. MTL is another special duty available in the Air Force, and we're always looking for good airmen and NCOs who'd like to volunteer for MTL duty. We need airmen and NCOs willing to step up to the challenge of recruiting and training our future Air Force. Special duty as a recruiter, MTI, or MTL offers great opportunities both personally and professionally. Help us ensure our future Air Force remains "... the most respected Air and Space Force." See your command chief master sergeant, first sergeant, or Military Personnel Flight if you'd like to learn more about these special auues or u you a like to apply. 27-yea- rs Global Power and Reach for America. Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Maj. Gen. Rich Roellig Maj. J. Robert Ballew Bill Orndorff Mary Galbraith, Steven Ford Deadlines: Commander, Director, Public Affairs Office Editor OO-AL- C staff writers Editorial and "Around the Hill" items, 3 p.m. Thursday, seven days before publication; sports articles, 9 a.m. Monday, week of publication; classified ads, 2 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more information, the editor, Ext. call 625-430- 0 |