Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee changes leadership

by Col. Nahaku A. McFadden
Air National Guard advisor to the Commander, Air University

12/10/2014 - JOINT BASED ANDREWS, Md. -- Maj. Gen. Jane Rohr ushered in new era of leadership when she took the reins of the Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee at a meeting here. Rohr, the Air Force Space Command's mobilization assistant to the commander, is succeeding Maj. Gen. Thad Martin, Connecticut adjutant general.

In addition, Maj. Gen. John Nichols, Texas adjutant general, replaced outgoing vice chairman, Maj. Gen. Robert Millmann, the 7th Air Force's mobilization assistant to the commander.

"As a member of this committee, I thought it was an interesting concept to have all components in a forum to discuss issues related to people," Rohr said. "I'm excited they asked me to be the chairman."

Specifically authorized by Congress, the ARFPC reviews major policy matters that directly affect the reserve components and the Air Force's mobilization preparedness. The core members of the committee consist of five general officers from the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Additionally, the committee has six permanent advisory members: the deputy assistant secretary for reserve affairs; the commander of Civil Air Patrol - U.S. Air Force; the CAP national commander; the chief master sergeant of the air force; and the command chiefs from the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air Guard.

The committee's recommendations, Rohr noted, provide direct and unfiltered feedback to the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force regarding the reserve component.

"We want to do our best to try and resolve issues from unintended consequences of policies that affect our people, their benefits and their ability to do their jobs," Rohr explained. "It is critical to what we are trying to do."

Focusing on such topics as Force Support Squadron Integration, Total Force Continuum and National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, and the Enlisted Evaluation System, the committee was briefed on the most relevant issues affecting the force. More than 100 senior leaders attended the meeting, one of the largest turn-outs to date.

"I'm glad to take on this opportunity," remarked Nichols, the incoming vice chairman. "This process has matured and improved over time. We vet an issue, we figure out how it will affect Airmen and we work together to come up with a solution.

"Just as I do in my position as Adjutant General for the state of Texas," Nichols added, "this committee is trying to provide our Airmen the best equipment and best training ... anything that allows them to serve easier."

As the new chairman, Rohr said "it is amazing" to talk to the Secretary of the Air Force directly.

"We have some smart people on this committee," she observed. "The fact they are here to work in an integrated fashion is terrific."

Previous AFRPC sessions have addressed the topics of Total Force Integration / Total Force Enterprise, medical continuation policy, Personnel Reliability Program, per diem waivers, military personnel appropriation program management and the ARC pregnancy policy.