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Show A Rd What we can do to make a difference today 2 ' by Maj. Edward R. Kramer 49th Transportation Squadron commander 'commentary a HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. (AFPN) Air Force retention issues are a familiar topic in the media. Rates are monitored as high-intere- st items throughout the Air Force. Too often, however, we look toward our Air Force staff agencies and congressional leaders to improve Heres a typical, possibly familiar, scenario. A coworker is a year out from his date of separation. He makes his career decision with family and friends at home, on leave, on the telephone or around the din- In 2001, hundreds ofpeople at your base are scheduled to make our retention rates. Although our pay, benefits, entitlements and policies important career decisions are developed and approved by higher headquarters and Congress, many retention issues can be actively regarding Every addressed at the wing, group and squadron level. What one of those people will choose to are you doing to contribute? What can you do at your base to make a difference? extend, separate or Retention Step 1: Assess how were doing Those decisions for 2001 are Our Air Force has historically aimed for first term reenlistment rates of 55 percent, second term reenbeing formed today listment rates around 75 percent and career around 90 percent. Sadly, were usually lacking the same data, and in some cases, the same interest, at Maj. Edward R: Kramer base, group and squadron level. What are the rates for your Air Force specialty code, work center, flight, squadron, or group? be to simply provide all of our people, especially the ones In 2001, hundreds of people at your base are schedscheduled to separate next year, with the information uled to make important career decisions regarding they need to make informed career decisions. reenlistment. Every one of those people will choose to Timely, accurate career information is critical. The extend, separate, or reenlist. Those decisions for 2001 goal should focus on ensuring our people make their are being formed today. Many people say they make career decisions with the active assistance of their supertheir career decisions 12 to 18 months before their sep- visors and career advisors. It sounds Yet we simple. aration date. People around you are forming critical continue to fall short in this area. career decisions today, this summer, this year. Do you Who are career advisors? We all are. All supervisors, know who they are in your work center, flight or squadron? from the most recent Airman Leadership School gradRetention Step 2: Provide career advice and uate to our chief master sergeants, from lieutenants to information generals, are career advisors. Yes, we can and should Once weve identified our people who are approachdesignate focal points at flight, squadron, group and wing ing career decisions, what should be our most important level to help with career information. But one of the rearetention goal? Is it to achieve a certain percentage of re- sons we have fallen short is our failure to recognize our enlistments? Of course not! Our top retention goal should responsibilities we are all career advisors. re-enlistm- ent. re-enli- st. ?? ing room table. As the decision is solidifying we informally hear the news, I heard hes getting out. The supervisor assumes his mind is made up and doesnt discuss career options with his subordinate. Or if he does its too late, and the subordinate asks himself, Where was his interest while my decision was being made? Are we providing as much accurate, timely information as we can? Were individuals separating this month ever provided complete, accurate informa- tion on the myriad of issues facing them, including reenlistment bonuses, career job reservations, promotions, extensions, pay and benefits, retraining or career progression, and consid- quality-of-lif- e erations? There are no magical career advisors who have all the answers or information. When faced with difficult questions, the bestcareer advisors and supervisors' will simply say, dont know, but Ill find out. Everyone must make his or her own decisions. These decisions should be fully respected and supported, whatever they may be. But weve failed if we dont initiate career discussions and provide f information. Retention rates, whether they are 9 or 90 percent, become secondary issues if we havent expressed this fundamental interest. Lets not wait to be told what career decisions have been made after the fact. Lets think well ahead of that 12- - to date of separation. Lets not allow our people to make their decisions based only on dining room table discussions. Lets get involved early and show our interest! Retention is our future. Lets recognize we can and should be part of the solution. We can make a difference today. 18-mon- th 4 Leadership commixed to health care for retirees by Gen. Michael E. Ryan Air Force chief of staff fits without an identified plan for funding, while others call for a more modest benefit initially, accompanied by commitments for appropriate funding. A benefit without funding does not bring health care to our retirees. We must have congressional funding support. The Air Force is not idly sitting by, but is aggressively pursuing solutions. Our Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Paul K. Carlton, Jr., is pushing forward with creative options involving all parties who play a role in providing health care for seniors: the DoD, the Health Care Financing Agency, and contracted health plans. The Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. John Handy, also is push- WASHINGTON (AFPN) One of the biggest quality of life issues facing the Air Force today is health care. For the retired members of our Air Force family, it is their number one concern particularly having access to medical care after turning age 65. Our retirees stood for America and fought the fight. We must find solu- tions to their health care needs because it is the right thing to do. As committed as we are to addressing this issue of retiree benefits, we must also uphold our commitment to the American people to be fiscally responsible. Our goal is to provide a meaningful medical benefit, to include pharmacy coverage. Our challenge is to provide this without bankrupting the system-- . This is no small task. There are many demonstration pro- jects looking at alternative solu- tions. While these are promising, we must carefully evaluate the demonstrations before committing to their ing hard for solutions through the implementation. For example, the TRICARE Senior Prime demonstra- tion is proving popular with our retirees, However, we have significant issues with funding and benefit design that need to be addressed before this can be a permanent solution. There is con- that there is no cohesive plan to link the demonstrations together. The solution to senior retiree care should be an integrated mix of benefit options, not a one-plan-fits-- all approach. I am gratified to see that Congress shares our concern for providing health care benefits to our senior retirees. Numer- ous bills have been introduced this leg- islative session addressing this issue, Some bills call for a wide range of bene- - Air Force people building the world s most respected Air and Space Force irprnrG ZyUL-TUVJ- U Quality Systems for Americas Air Force 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. 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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 AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL Defense Medical Oversight Corn-fu- tri-servi- ce taking the lead to work with our retirees, the other military services, Health Affairs and Congress to ensure appro-cer- n priate health care benefits for all our members, including our senior retirees. Global Power and Reach for America. Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Maj. Gen. Scott Bergren Commander, Maj. Sam Hudspath Director, Public Affairs ' Bill Orndorff Editor Mary Galbraith, Senior Airman Russ Martin Staff writers Deadlines: OO-AL- C 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, call the editor, Ext. 625-430- 0 ll mittee, the oversight body for medical benefits and funding, There is still work to be done to reach our goals. Air Force senior leaders are |