New ICBM career model instituted across 20th AF

by Airman 1st Class Joseph Raatz
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

11/12/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A restructured operational rotation model for Air Force Global Strike Command missile combat crew officers, tested earlier this year at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, has been implemented across 20th Air Force as part of an ongoing series of improvements to the U.S. nuclear force.

The new "3+3" model creates a career plan for missileers, splitting up their first six years on the job into two three-year assignments. In their first assignment, missileers will focus on developing their weapon system proficiency. When they move on to their second assignment, they will apply their enhanced expertise by serving as an instructor, evaluator and/or flight commander and by providing guidance and mentoring to missileers still in their first assignment.

"The first assignment will focus on developing field intercontinental ballistic missile operations experience," said Col. Todd Sauls, chief of ICBM Operations at Air Force Global Strike Command. "Crew members will be better prepared to handle the demanding requirements of the new instructor and evaluator duty regimen at their follow-on assignment."

Previously, missile crew tours were based around a four-to five-year rotation -- which sometimes extended to nearly six years -- that included instructor, evaluator and flight commander duties. Under this system, inexperienced missileers were sometimes put in a position to instruct or evaluate more senior or experienced officers. This will be eliminated as "3+3" replaces the previous model.

"The new ICBM model will be implemented in phases," Sauls said. "We have to carefully manage the transition from the previous system to the new, and manage exactly when people move, to ensure we take care of our Airmen while minimizing any potential manning problems."

Missileers who have been in place for two years or less will switch over to the new system immediately, whereas missileers who have already completed three years of their tour will continue with their current assignment before switching.

The new career progression is a result of AFGSC's Force Improvement Program, a continuing initiative that focuses on identifying issues faced by the Air Force's nuclear mission and addressing them with comprehensive solutions developed by Airmen who conduct the mission on a daily basis.

"The '3+3' model was visualized by a team comprised of members from the missile units, 20th Air Force Headquarters and AFGSC Headquarters ," said Maj. Ray Vann, ICBM operations lead at AFGSC's Applied Capabilities Office.  "The team identified a need for increased focus on field operations experience. In the past the focus was to become an instructor or evaluator, leading to less experienced people in critical positions.  This model increases operations experience for the crewforce. The field shaped the model to address the issues."

Col. Jay Folds, Task Force 214 director and 20th Air Force director of operations, views 3+3 as vital to mission accomplishment.

"Combat crews on alert in support of U.S. Strategic Command will be more experienced in the weapon system, which translates into improved combat capability," said Folds.  "Further, as officers develop under the 3+3 model, they'll attain a high level of expertise as leaders and operators so they can lead from the front when they become commanders of ICBM units."

In addition to providing missileers with additional training, the "3+3" model may also provide a change of scenery.

"An added benefit to the '3+3' model is the new perspective gained by serving in multiple units as we establish a cross-flow between missile wings," Vann said. "Missileers now will experience multiple wings in the same timeframe that only allowed for one wing in the old system. Missileers will have greater opportunities than ever before. These are new and exciting times for missileers."