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Show HILLTOP TIMES AFSO21 process gets weapons to warfighters faster them," Major Seidel said. "Green indicated that we had the authority to change it, and we wanted to change it. Blue indicatEGLIN AFB, Fla.-When the AIMed a good idea, but we weren't sure if we 120D production program manager was had the authority to do it, or we weren't asked to be team leader on an Air Force sure the investment was really worth the Smart Operations for the 21st Century change. And finally, red indicated that rapid improvement eVent, he was a little we either didn't have the authority to skeptical. make the change, or we simply did not "We had a very sound and fundamenwant to do it." tally strong (acquisition) process going, Next, the two groups came together to and I really pushed back at the idea," build a whole new process based on the said Maj. Charles Seidel. "I wasn't sure it ideas they came up with through their was the best use of our time, but I said I two groups. would do my best." "We took the key themes out of those But after cutting their "very sound" acclean sheet thoughts, and we implequisition process by more than half, from mented the ones we could," Major Seidel 48 weeks to 20 weeks, the major is now said. "The good thing was all the 'green sold on the possibilities of AFSO 21. - implement now items' got put "The process was absolutely into the new strategy." eye opening," he said. "We Both teams were amazed / went in trying to eliminate at how changing a few small waste, and that's what we did." things could eliminate time And that is exactly the goal and waste. The goal for both of AFSO 21 when it was impleteams was to buy weapons mented by the secretary of more quickly and get them the Air Force in March. The out in the warfighters' hands program is designed for comfaster. manders and supervisors at all "We walked away with a levels to look at their processes complete understanding of evfrom beginning to end. It's a erything that must be accomdedicated effort to maximize plished internally for the govvalue and minimize waste in Air Force SmartPpS"Tor The 21st Century ernment and Raytheon," Major our operations and push :unSeidel said. "It was educating necessary work out the door for both of us. We now have a forever. When Major Seidel's contract proposal accurately map out their entire contract- thorough understanding of what our exing "value stream." Basically the govern- isting process is and the 'care abouts' for and award process rapid improvement the contractors and the government." ment team members mapped out their event began in July, it was originally process as the Raytheon team did theirs. Programs across the base have already designed solely for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile program. This exercise accomplished two critical started using the new system, and the actions: first, it ensured the process was program managers are excited to see But no sooner than he was tasked to accurately depicted; second, it educated the results. lead this effort, he was informed that two other squadrons from the 328th Ar- the government and industry partners of "Time is money, and getting the miseach other's internal actions when putmament Systems Wing, to include the siles to the warfighters six months earting things on contract. Harm Targeting System and Miniature lier is an immediate plus," Major Seidel Air Launched Decoy, and one squadron The second stage was to split into two said. "Everyone would agree with that." from the 308th ARSW, the Small Diam- teams, mixed with government and inAdded Ms. Jay, "The projected savings eter Bomb II, wanted to participate as ... will enable us to reinvest the (money) dustry personnel, to develop a better well. process using what is called "clean sheet in resources for other activities. The key will be to maintain good metrics as we "We have many common processes we thinking" to come up with a combined use the improved process over the next share with other organizations, whether process. several months to see if we are realizing we work in a weapons program office "We reviewed both team's ideas, disthe projected efficiencies." or on the flight line," said Emily Jay, cussed each one and then color-coded BY_STAFF SGI RYAN HANSEN . Air Armament Center public affairs 328th ARSW chief of contracts. "When we identify common processes across organizations, we can rid ourselves of a lot of the little aggravations that bog us down and are non-value added. The common link between these programs is that each team works with Raytheon." To pull off this huge undertaking, Major Seidel brought together two pools of key players. "We had about 22 people from the government and Raytheon spanning all functional specialties such as program managers, engineers, manufacturing experts, contracting officers, finance or pricing officers and auditors represented," he said. At first both teams worked together to TIMES November 30, 2006 Officials ask Airmen about language skills BY STAFF SGT. C, TODD LOPEZ Air Force Print News WASHINGTON (AFPN) -Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley recently approved a survey to identify the foreign language capability inherent in the Air Force. The purpose of the on-line survey is to allow Air Force officials to get a better understanding of the foreign language skills already in the force, so they can better determine the language skills that must be developed for tomorrow's operational missions. "The Air Force is actively engaged in operations all over the world, the most visible being those supporting the global war on terror," General Moseley said. "An important lesson we continue to learn is that the ability to speak a foreign language is a critical war-fighting skill. We found that many Airmen have foreign language skills that have not been documented, so we are canvassing the force to more accurately determine our resident foreign language capability." General Moseley has made completion of the survey mandatory for all enlisted members and for officers in the grades lieutenant colonel and below. The survey presents Airmen with a list of languages. Airmen are asked to identify which of those languages they have skills in and to what degree they possess those skills. If an Airman demonstrates sufficient skill in a language of strategic value to the Air Force, that Airman may be able to qualify for Foreign Language Proficiency Pay. Sufficient skill in a single language can raise an Airman's pay by as much as $500 per month. Airmen with skills in multiple strategic languages can earn as much as $1,000 per month. Airmen should contact their military personnel flight testing office to sign up to take a defense language proficiency test if they want to see if they are eligible for FLPP. Each Airman will receive a link to the survey via e-mail. Survey officials encourage the recipient to access the survey using the link in the e-mail. If for some reason an Airman does not receive a link, he or she may access the survey at https://surveys.af.mil/srvyonl/ sentry/FLSA2.htm. jfc^^ i_ Your Career - Protecting America s Borders Border Patrol Agent Protecting America from the threat of To qualify, you must be able to successfully global terrorism and illegal immigration complete fitness and drug tests, a thorough requires the right men and women. It's background investigation and medical a demanding job, die type your military examination. You must also possess a valid experience prepared you for. Put diat state drivers license.You will be recruited at experience and training to work for you the GS-5 or GS-7 level, with non-competitive in a rewarding and challenging career promotion potential to GS-1 l.Your initial that takes advantage of the skills you've duty location could be anywhere along the gained through your military service. southwest border, from Texas to California. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is actively Beyond die satisfaction of protecting recruiting men and women to protect America's America's borders in the Southwest, Border ... ( , borders. As a Border Patrol Agents are rewarded with excellent •'•"••.' - '-!.'• ' I-.' To apply, you must ; be a U.S. citizen, f physically fit and under age 40. ;.\¥ Patrol Agent, your pay and outstanding health, retirement and job will be to help family-friendly benefits! If you want to prevent die entry work in ail exciting environment of high of terrorists and public trust, widi wide-open spaces and E't^-iM*"-'1 ••; ••••] a.,i- ^•KMB.i.^., ^- -.-. j terrorist weapons opportunities to match, consider bringing into die United States and apprehend those die skills and experience gained on active who violate our nation's immigration laws. duty to US. Customs and Border Protection. 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