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Show 10 HILLTOP TIMES TIMES March 1, 2012 Contracting program expands civilian deployment opportunities Air Force Materiel Command Directorate of Contracting W RIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio 4 Air Force Materiel Command's Directorate of Contracting recently developed a new program to select junior contracting civilians for deployment opportunities to U.S. Central Command's area of operations. The Junior Civilian Deployment Program was created to enhance professional development among junior contracting specialists, as well as reduce the deployment rate of military contracting personnel. Patsy Reeves, director of contracting for AFMC, said that the program benefits the entire workforce. "This program provides a win-win for both the military and civilian workforce," she said. "It reduces the operations tempo of our military contracting personnel, while providing a great learning experience for our civilians." Historically, the Air Force has supplied more than 65 percent of contingency contracting officers to support combatant commander's requirements, which have re- Courtesy photo Michael Piller (left), Junior Civilian Deployment Program intern, and Army Capt. Ramon Ramos, 900th Contingency Contracting Battalion, exit an upended RG-33 mine-resistant light armored vehicle during a Jan. 28 exercise to prepare contingency contracting officers for deployed operations. MOORE From page 3 SENIOR MASTER SGT. MINNIE JONES/U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Carlos Recoder, who has been training Airmen since 2006, is a military training instructor (MTI) serving on an Active Guard Reserve tour. An AGR is a reservist in a federal military program that places reserve Airmen on active duty service. Basic Military Training is looking for you BY TECH. SGT. CARLOS TREVINO 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs L ACKLAND AIR FORCEBASE, Texas 4 Click, clack. Click, clack. You hear the taps on the boots colliding with the pavement, in a rhythmic pattern coming towards you. Your spine stiffens, and you notice the shadow of the Smokey the Bear hat looming over your shoulder, you immediately know you are in the presence of the one who taught you how to stand tall, wear a military uniform properly and how to be a U.S. Air Force Airman 4 a military training instructor. Currently, the 433rd Training Squadron is seeking reservists to fill 76 MTI positions in the ranks of senior airman to master sergeant. One might think these individuals, who have been told by parents that they did something in eight weeks which they could not do in 18 years, were all active-duty members. However, you would be sorely mistaken. Currently, 37 Air Force Reserve members serve as MTIs. Interested applicants must meet an array of requirements such as a current security clearance, no physical/medical issues, current passing physical fitness test score, commander's recommendation, etc. The goal is to fill the positions by September 2012. "Our role in the Basic Military Training arena is to assist the active duty in manning shortfalls and be part of the Total Force Initiative within Air Education and Training Command and the Air Force Reserve Command," said Chief Master Sgt. Julie Begley, 433rd TRS superintendent. The traditional reserve positions are not the only positions available for Airmen interested in becoming a MTI. There are five air reserve technician and 12 active guard reserve positions available, all ranging fromstaff sergeant to chief master sergeant. "The 12 AGR tours are four-year tours in our unit," said Begley. "The AGR MTIs are the constant for our unit." The five ART positions are the support function that keeps the unit functioning during the period between UTAs. AGR refers to a U.S. Air Force federal military program that places Reserve Airmen on federal activeduty status under Title 10 U.S.C., for a period of 180 consecutive days or more to provide full-time support to Air Force Reserve organizations. AGR personnel receive the same benefits and entitlements as active duty. Tech. Sgt. Carlos Recoder, who has been training Airmen since 2006, took advantage of the AGR position to continue to serve. "I found that being a MTI has afforded me the opportunity of training America's Airmen," said Recorder, an El Paso native who transferred to the Air Force Reserve from the active-duty U.S. Marine Corp. Before taking the helm of a flight of recruits, a MTI trainee has to complete a seven-week course said Begley. Future MTIs learn how to lecture classes, perform proper drill See MTI I page 11 Headquarters AFMC. The general served as the chief of air operations, Multi-National Forces-Iraq in 2004, and he is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours in 30 types of aircraft. Moore also served at WrightPatterson AFB during previous tours as director, F-16 System Program Office, June 2002 to August 2003; as vice commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, September 2003 to August 2004; as director, F-22 System Program Office, November 2005 to May suited in high operations tempo for Air Force contracting officers during the past 10 years. Ruth Ann Ijames, who served as the chief of contracting policy in Iraq in 2006 and 2007, said that her deployment experience was unparalleled. "I learned more in the two years I was deployed than I learned in the previous 20 years," she said. "We saw acquisitions we would never encounter otherwise and we saw a difference on the ground as a direct result of our efforts." Stel Kirbabas, chief of the Workforce Development Branch at AFMC's Aeronautical Systems Center, said the Junior Civilian Development program is a great opportunity for civilian contracting professionals. "The potential for these exceptional, highly motivated individuals is limitless," Kirbabas said. "They are our future, and we need to provide them with opportunities to grow professionally, as well as feed their desire to make a difference in the world. This deployment initiative does both." For more information and to apply to the program, contact Senior Master Sgt. Chris Soares at 937-257-3853. 419TH 2007, and as commander, 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing, May 2007 to July 2008. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980 with Bachelor of Science degrees in aeronautical engineering and political science. In 1981, he earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Columbia University in New York. He also earned a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. A replacement for Moore has not been announced. From page 7 Diamond Excellence Award, Tech. Sgt. Dayton Smith, 419th Force Support Squadron Chief's Award, Master Sgt. Jason Reininger, 419th Medical Squadron Honor Guard Member of the Year, Tech. Sgt. Kevin Roper, 419th Medical Squadron Wing Commander's Servant Leadership Award, Tech. Sgt. Rachel Ivory, 419th Medical Squadron Employer of the Year, Brett Burton, Layton Golden Corral Enter to WIN an iPad from the Standard-Examiner 04>, deadlin deals ,4?;) Sign up for deadline deals to receive great offers and to be entered to www•Standard.net/Demindleals/S HURRY Promui deadlin deals Your Best Option in the Local Deals World! gnup |