Missile officer recertification program makes great strides

by Kate Blais
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- Ten of the 19 missile crew members from the 91st Operations Group at Minot AFB, N.D., have been recertified and are able to fully perform their alert duties.

The remaining officers continue to progress through the retraining program with the remaining decertified crew members expected to return to alert duty in early June, according to Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, 20th Air Force commander.

The officers had been decertified following an Air Force Global Strike Command Consolidated Unit Inspection of the 91st Missile Wing, March 4. Twenty-two areas were looked at during the CUI, with the missile wing earning an "Outstanding" rating in one area, "Excellent" ratings in 14 areas, and "Satisfactory" ratings in six areas. One area was rated "Marginal."

The recertification process includes requalification training, a qualification evaluation and Emergency War Order and Weapon System certification briefings to their certifying official. Each crew member successfully completed requalification training. Upon completion of the training, each crew member also completed a procedural evaluation in the simulator and Emergency War Order and Weapon System certification briefings to their certifying official as a means of validating the retraining and crew member proficiency.

As a result of the inspection and further review, unit leaders identified proficiency shortfalls compounded by an attitude of complacency among a small number of officers.

"Leaders are taking a holistic approach to a get-well program within the unit, focusing on proficiency, as well as individual preparation," Carey said.

Prior to the CUI, Air Force leaders had already been focused on addressing concerns about the workplace stressors and quality of life of those Airmen responsible for running the nuclear mission.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III visited the missile wings at Minot AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., in November 2012. During those visits, Airmen voiced concerns about stressors associated with the remote Northern Tier locations, insufficient manning, long transit times from the base to remote missile alert facilities, and pressures of the nuclear, no-fail mission.

"Leaders at all levels -- from the wings, to Numbered Air Force, to Major Command, to Headquarters Air Force and United States Strategic Command -- are paying attention to the nuclear deterrence mission. We must take care of the Airmen and families responsible for this critical strategic mission," said Global Strike commander Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski.

To get a quick assessment and identify those things that could be easily fixed to improve morale and job satisfaction, Welsh asked RAND to conduct a 90-day look at those workplace stressors, which took place from December 2012 to February 2013.

RAND's study is not finalized; however, initial findings validate that the alert mission compounded with workplace stressors impact the quality of life for those Airmen responsible for the nuclear deterrence mission. Commanders are already actively engaged to address areas based on this 'quick-look' review.

"Twentieth Air Force is acting on some of those recommendations now and has also begun an effort called 'ProAct -- Professional Actions: Mitigating Stressors on America's ICBM Team,'" Carey said.

Initial feedback has allowed Carey to act on several items, including improving communication within the force, empowering leaders to address issues within their team and taking care of Airmen. Specifically, one of Carey's first initiatives has been to help ensure more predictability in the missile field personnel schedules and enforcing what he referred to as "protected time off."

"I asked the wing commanders to ensure that people's time off is protected and duty schedules managed closely to ensure they'll have predictable time for their personal lives," Carey described. "Knowing when you'll be home is very important and relieves stress on Airmen and their families."

"As the 20th Air Force commander it's my responsibility to ensure that the Airmen who provide our nation's nuclear deterrent have the resources they need and a safe and healthy work environment," Carey said.

Further study is ongoing at multiple levels and this review helped the 20th AF and unit leaders take a definite step forward on a path toward addressing ICBM force stressors. The Air Force chief of staff is scheduled to be briefed on the results this month.