ANG Strategic Planning System meets at Joint Base Andrews

by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs

3/3/2015 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The steering committee for the Air National Guard's Strategic Planning System held a quarterly meeting Feb. 17-20 at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here to discuss updates for Air National Guard strategy and development.

The Strategic Planning System provides a fact-driven, collaborative process designed to shape the Air National Guard's future through deliberate planning with the Director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, and supports the Air Guard's priorities to shape an environment to develop adaptable Airmen, secure the home front while defending the nation, and modernize warfighting capabilities.

The Strategic Planning System meets quarterly but regional meetings will occur later this year where the recently approved 20 year Air National Guard Strategic Master Plan, Officer/ Enlisted Force Development programs, and SPS Membership will be discussed.

"Most importantly, the SPS is expanding the membership and participation of our enlisted force", said Brig. Gen. Kevin W. Bradley, Strategic Planning System chairman. "In coordination with the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard, Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, we are welcoming a chief master sergeant to join with the general officer representative of each region. We are excited about this development as our enlisted Airmen represent more than 90 percent of our force and we know that future Strategic Force Development efforts will be fueled and driven by these Airmen and their field driven input."

The Strategic Planning System was invited to attend the Blue General Officer Summit by the Director of the Air National Guard. The Strategic Planning System addressed more than 150 general officers attending the Blue General Officer Summit, which was a meeting held during the same week, and briefed the Air National Guard Strategic Master Plan and advocated for continued field representation.

The Air National Guard general officer field experience represents 3,000 plus years of service, what a powerful pool of strategic planners to draw upon.

The Strategic Planning System helps establish a framework of planning principles to guide the alignment of current and potential Air Guard missions align with federal and state requirements. This guidance is developed through the use of historical collaboration between state Guard leadership, the Strategic Planning System, and the National Guard Bureau and represents a collective vision on the Air National Guard's strategic direction that will guide the path for the future force structure for the Air National Guard.