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Show Hilltop Times November 23, 2005 Force shaping key issue for many officers BY 2ND IX AMBER BALKEN Hilltop Times staff Company grade officers affected by the upcoming Force Shaping Board in 2006 were visited last week by Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command representatives Brig. Gen. Kathleen D. Close, director of Installations and Mission Support, and Lt. Col. Cheryl Malone, chief of requirements and analysis branch. The team came to Hill to brief CGOs and base leadership on the force shaping initiative and to answer numerous questions company grade officers and their leadership have on this initiative. With a Force Shaping Board convening in April, the viability of a long-term Air Force career is in question for some junior officers as the Air Force seeks to balance the force to match Congressionally mandated authorization numbers. According to the briefing given to the affected lieutenants, the Air Force is currently undermanned by 6,000 enlisted Airmen and overmanned by nearly 4,000 in officer career fields, the "right size, but the wrong shape." Now the Air Force needs to reshape its structure to meet demands of the Department of Defense. A majority of the career The Family Support Center has set up special Transition Assistance Workshops for those lieutenants affected by the upcoming Force Shaping Boards. These two-day workshops are being offered every two weeks and are limited to 25 seats per class. They will be held on the following dates: Nov. 21-22* Dec. 6-7 Dec. 20-21 • Jan 3-4 Please call the center at 777-4681 to sign up and for more information. fields have a surplus of lieutenants. These career field overages now necessitate the force be reshaped, beginning with a reduction of junior officers in the 20022003 commissioning year groups. "This operational overage does not allow many officers the opportunity to grow. We do realize we are letting talented people out the door," commented General Close. Lieutenants in the affected year groups and career fields will go before a selection board of Colonels, who will be selected in the appropriate career fields and will closely evaluate each officer's record. Those officers chosen for involuntary separation will be notified by June 1, 2006, and will be required to separate no later than Sept. 29, 2006. "The most common concern facing the young officers today is the status of their future," said General Close. Those that would like to continue serving their country have several options. These include civil service, the PALACE CHASE program, and the "Blue to Green" program, which allows an Air Force officer to transfer their commission to the Department of the Army. Officers who are facing force TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE Those affected by the upcoming Force Shaping Boards have several resources for information. The numbers below are provided as a quick reference for commonly requested numbers. MPF Retirements and Separations Office: 777-2854 Family Support Center: Ed Brisley, 777-4681 AF Reserve Recruiter: Master Sgt. Gene Kinder, 777-3849 shaping are encouraged to have secondary options, in the event of an involuntary separation. Tools such as the Transition Assistance Programs are available to all military members and are highly encouraged. "As insensitive as this may seem, the base is here to helpyou through this time. Understand that Team Hill is here for you," said Lt. Col. Chris Luedtke, 75th Mission Support Squadron commander. The Force Shaping Board is an initiative that is expected to continue for all officers in their third year of commissioned service. At the three-year point, the Air Force will review the number of officers serving in Air Force Specialty Codes and determine whether force shaping or mandatory crosstraining are required. According to Col. Sharon K. G. Dunbar, 75th Air Base Wing commander, force shaping is an issue that affects the officer corps as a whole and is an important wingman issue. "It is our [Team Hill's] responsibility to provide you with the supportyou need and deserve," commented Colonel Dunbar when speaking to junior officers attending a force shaping briefing. "You can count on us to do what we're good at: we'll work as a team to take care of our people." Air National Guard Recruiter: 245-2246 Army Recruiter: 774-5030 Education Office: Ms. Rebecca Delgado, 586-5451, 777-5764 Civilian Personnel: Mr. Dan Henderson, 586-3342 Air Force Personnel Center Records (over the telephone review): DSN 665-2371 AFPC Records (request a copy): DSN 665-2998 Military Personnel Flight Customer Service: 777-2658 Oral health important in keeping fit and strong BY LOUISE SEDLEVICIUS 75th Dental Squadron Most are aware of the importance a healthful diet plays in keeping bodies fit and strong. Our oral health is no exception. The dental profession has long recognized the link between sound nutrition and good oral health. There is agrowing concern about the record numbers of sugar-filled soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snack foods that people are conPhoto by Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong suming these days., Eating patterns and food choices are important facWHAT YOU CAN DO tors that may affect how Maintain a healthy diet. quickly tooth decay may develop. The naturallyEat a variety of healthful, nutritious food. occurring bacteria in the Some of the best foods for healthy gums mouth thrive on the starchand teeth are those which contain vitamin es and sugars found in C, and calcium. Citrus fruits, strawberries many foods. When teeth and kiwifruit are good sources of vitamin aren't cleaned after eatC. Calcium can be obtained from most ing, harmful, sticky plaque dairy products, such as milk, cheese and will form. The bacteria in yogurt. the plaque use the sugar and starch to produce ac- Make sure water is readily available, and ids that can destroy the drink water more often. enamel of the tooth. The more often you eat and the Water is not only important for a healthy body, but can help to rinse sugars and longer foods are in your starches from your teeth. mouth, the more damage can occur. Limit eating and drinking between meals. , The foods we choose generally affect our overall Each time you eat food that contains sugars or starches, the teeth are attacked by achealth, including our teeth ids for 20 minutes or more. Foods such as and gums. The U.S. Decheese, raw vegetables, or fresh fruit are partment of Agriculture's good choices. Dietary Guidelines encourage consumers to limit Opt for sugar-free versions of soft drinks, intake of foods and bevercandy, and gum. ages high in added sugars that may crowd out other, Some brands of chewing gum brands are beneficial because they contain xylitol, more healthful foods from the daily diet. which has been shown to inhibit the For more information, growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. contact the 75th Dental Brush and floss effectively each day. Squadron at 777-7011. GlflMOUR GlflZe \t\i\\iSi =M ; *• JMontli We need you to donate plasma Biomat USA A'nr donors must anice 2 hrs. before dose New Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5:30 Sat. 8-2 Help Save Lives www.gnfols.com 75 * J{ state »j Clearfleld, UT -*; 801-825-1999 U $5Q OFF r Plumbers are licensed, clean, Wormed, drug tested, respectful, & background-checked for your safety. OGDEN OFFICE - 627-5953 YTON OFFICE-771-2451 Any Complete Auto Tint Home Window Tinting (Maximum 100 sq. ft.) 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