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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIME S February 24, 2011 3 Air Force 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal training detailed BY MAJ. JOEL HARPER Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs W ASHINGTON — Air Force officials will soon begin training Airmen in anticipation of the repeal of the law and policy commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." This training will help Airmen understand what is expected in a postrepeal environment, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. "I know our Airmen will approach this issue professionally, and will continue to adhere faithfully to our core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do," Schwartz said. "Implementing this change while fighting a war is challenging, but I have no doubt that the Air Force will do this in a way that minimizes operational impact and successfully accomplishes the important task of training our force." The first tier of training will focus on Air Force experts responsible for implementing policy changes and personnel providing repeal-related services to Airmen. This group includes several functional communities including chaplains, judge advocates and benefit counselors. This training explains guidance for implementing policy changes, and includes tools and information to help these experts answer Airmen's questions about the repeal. The second tier will focus on Air Force leaders, and will assist commanders, senior non-commissioned officers and civilian supervisors in preparing for and implementing repeal. The final tier will train and prepare the broader force while reinforcing expectations of professional and personal conduct through engagement by experts and leaders at all levels. The training for all tiers will commence on the same date, and training will occur concurrently. "We need to ensure our changes in policy happen in a professional, deliberate manner," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy. "This training is an important part of making the transition, and it should answer many questions that Airmen at all levels have been asking." Airmen will have ample training Tell' repeal site will open on the Air Force Portal and will include informational resources for leaders at all levels to include lesson plans and slide presentations, frequently asked questions, vignettes, guiding principles, and the "Top 10 Things You Need to Know," White said. "The Air Force will accomplish this training expeditiously, in the disciplined, professional manner our nation expects from its Airmen," he said. Repeal of the policy was set into motion Dec. 22, 2010, when the president signed legislation that set conditions that must be met prior to the repeal of title 10, United States Code, section 654, "Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the Armed Forces." The current law and policy remains in effect until 60 days after certification by the president, the secretary of defense, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "By following our core values, we will successfully implement this change with the same unparalleled professionalism we have demonstrated with every transformation we have undertaken, in both peace and war," Gen. Schwartz said. Your 00-ALC CheckMATE Contacts Center Staff , Debra Ward CheckMATE Project Manager CheckMATE Engagement Consultant Frank Magaiia Lead CheckMATE Organizational Representatives 309 MXW Kevin Padberg Mike Gagnon OO-ALC/GH OO-ALC/DP & Chief of Staff Offices Karyn Hodgson OO-ALC/EN Sheri Cuddy Rick Sensenstein OO-ALCIFM Lori Lloyd OO-ALC/PK Deirdre Pleasure 00-ALC/XP Make your voice heard by taking the Q12® BY DEBRA WARD OO-ALC CheckMATE Project Manager M any of us in the Ogden Air Logistics Center community will have the opportunity to participate in the Gallup Q12® from Feb. 28 through March 11. The Q12 measures how you view your work environment at the team level. At the team level you have the power to make meaningful change based on the Q12 results. When we focus our efforts on things we can do something about we remain engaged and hopeful. In turn, our level of engagement can positively influence others around us. Our area, our team, can be a bright light, a center of excellence, even when teams around us appear to be negative and struggling. Are there forces outside your team that impact how your team operates? Absolutely! But if we focus our efforts where we have no control, we're constantly stressed out, frustrated and disengaged. We spend opportunities, said Col. Jeff White, the leader of the education and training working group for the Air Force repeal implementation team. The training is a standardized program developed by armed services officials working in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of Defense repeal implementation team. "This training explains the new policies and provides information about specific behaviors, statements and actions to our Airmen, ensuring a consistent understanding grounded in an organizational climate of dignity and respect," White said. "When local conditions or mission requirements demand additional training, commanders may supplement accordingly. However, they must include, at a minimum, the information in the Air Force-approved briefings." Face-to-face training is the Air Force-preferred training method, but in the event that this is not possible, computer-based training is authorized to facilitate training completion. Additionally, a 'Don't Ask, Don't too much of our lives at work to be in that state of mind. We deserve better and so do our team members. Make a difference! Participate in the Q12® this year. What is different about the Q12®? • Short, 12 questions • Takes about 3 minutes to complete • Individual responses are anonymous and go to 775-4090 586-4065 586-0574 777-4872 777-6942 777-5979 777 7750 - Gallup only • Every employee will see their team's results • Each team will have a discussion about the results and develop a plan to sustain one strength and improve in one element • Available Feb. 28-March 11. (You will get your invitation via e-mail directly from Gallup on Feb. 28.) Though your participation is voluntary and anonymous, we hope you will join us in making a positive difference. The 321st Training Squadron, Air Force basic military trainees, carry state flags during the BMT graduation ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base on Jan. 7. Military training instructors mold recruits through an eight-anda-half week BMT program focusing on basic war skills, military bearing, discipline, physical fitness, drill and ceremonies and Air Force "Core Values." MTIs shape tomorrow's Airmen BY MIKE JOSEPH 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs L ACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — There's a commonality that unites the men and women who serve as the 737th gaining Group's Military Training Instructors — "Service Above Self' in transitioning the more than 35,000 civilians a year who enter Air Force Basic Military gaining into Airmen. It's an MTI's professionalism and commitment to Air Force "Core Values" in basic military training that molds those civilians into successful Airmen; role models to be followed and at the end of 81/2 weeks, often imitated. Their effectiveness as leaders, teachers and mentors has changed lives and inspired Airmen for more than 60 years. Those attributes and mission objectives beyond just marching flights and teaching drill prompted the Air Force to quickly change from the original term in 1947 of "flight marchers" to "military training instructors." It was the leadership, teaching, mentoring and recognition skills of an MTI that not only changed the life of Staff Sgt. 586-0205 777-6970 ROBBIN CRESSWELL U.S. Air Force Carmen DeLeon-Acosta but served as a catalyst to her Air Force career. "My TI changed my life in a lot of ways, more personally I think," DeLeon-Acosta said. "He was not only my mentor but someone in whose footsteps I wanted to follow." DeLeon-Acosta said her father left when she was a child, she had no relationship with her step-father or mother and was on her own at a young age. It was her MTI who changed her perception that every man leaves their family and children. "He changed that attitude in me," said DeLeon-Acosta, now an MTI recruiter and a former instructor. "He showed me that not every man leaves (his family and children). "I thought if my MTI could make me start talking to my father again and make my life better, I wanted to come back and do something similar. And I have," she said. "He changed my life. To this day we still talk (since entering BMT in February 2002). That's a long time to have someone in your life." Master Sgt. Eric Gaona, MTI recruiting team flight chief, agreed that not only did his MTI change him, but his time as an instructor also served as a career springboard. "I clearly remember the day when I came to basic training with no discipline and didn't know where I wanted to go in life," Gaona said. "That man (now Chief Master Sgt. William Dambacher, his current supervisor) made a difference. He inspired me greatly." Gaona, an instructor from 1993-1997, returned to the MTI Corps in a supervisory role last April. "I had an itch again to make a difference before I retire," he said, adding the intangibles of the special duty assignment had a huge impact on his career. "There is no measure of how much you get from being an MTI," he said. "I came in 1993 as a senior airman. When I left and compared myself to other senior airmen, the difference was amazing. "The (MTI) experience is invaluable. Supervisors single you out because you're more professional. Your career just takes off." Staff Sgt. Scott Weimer said the skill set he developed as an MTI and MTI recruiter would be beneficial when he returns to the missile maintenance career field in April. "It doesn't matter what rank you leave (the MTI Corps) as, you leave performing two stripes higher," Weimer said. "The different people to deal with, the responsibility, time management, work ethic and counseling skills you develop as an MTI will make you an unparalleled asset to whatever job you're assigned." For more information on the MTI Corps, contact the MTI recruiting office at DSN 473-1018. |