Pope Field FTU final hurdle for Reserve medics

by Tech. Sgt. Peter R. Miller
440th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2014 - POPE FIELD, N.C. -- "I like to bring the game to the patient so that's what we'll do," Maj. Laurel Minard said as she began her pre-mission brief. "Patients don't deserve our sympathy, they deserve our skill."

Minard, a nurse with the 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., was beginning the capstone culmination of years of medical training - her final flight evaluation. Passing the final flight evaluation certifies a nurse to provide in-flight medical care to patients and command an in-flight medical crew. Certification is the final step in becoming a flight nurse.

The Aeromedical Evacuation Formal Training Unit at Pope Field is the last hurdle in a marathon training regimen that takes commissioned and enlisted aeromedical evacuation Airmen across the United States, said Staff Sgt. Shelby Adney, a 349th AES AE technician. The training pipeline takes students from the classroom at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, to water survival school at Fairchild AFB, Wash., ending at the AEFTU at Pope Field, N.C. In total, the training regimen takes between six and seven months.

"I love that the training here is hands-on and not just slide shows," said Senior Airman Hannah Rice, a student from the 94th AES, Dobbins AFB, Ga. "The instructors teach one-on-one and are very personable. They make sure you understand what is going on."

Rice said becoming an AE crewmember is something she has wanted since she joined the Air Force Reserve four years ago. She spent that time as a medic with the 94th Aeromedical Staging Transfer Squadron until a position became available in AE. Aeromedical evacuation crewmembers are different from other medics as they are certified to provide medical care in-flight.

"I look forward to helping people who can't help themselves," said Rice. "We are not free to help ourselves. We are free to help others."

Maj. Bryan Hutcheson, a 94th AES flight nurse instructor, said the training program focuses on teamwork. Aeromedical crews generally deploy in a crew of five Airmen with two flight nurses and three enlisted AE technicians. This crew will typically remain together as a team throughout a deployment so it is important they work well together.

"They have to be prepared," said Lt. Col. Maureen Allen, the AEFTU detachment commander. "The bottom line is taking care of patients."

Allen said she did not have the benefit of a formal training unit when she underwent her certification training, being that the AEFTU welcomed its first class in 2010. Without the formal training unit, the certification process would have to be completed by each member's unit, which can be logistically difficult to accomplish. The FTU has the capacity to train 120 students annually.

"They are so fortunate to have this opportunity," said Allen. "Typically, several students arrive here knowing they will deploy soon after returning to their units."

Rice said she is scheduled for her first deployment early next year.

"Even in high school, I thought about going to college, but I always wanted to do something different," she said. "The military is a very different thing. Normal everyday people are not doing crazy, dangerous stuff and saving peoples' lives. I love it."

Of the 32 AE squadrons in the Air Force, 18 are staffed by Reserve units, said Hutcheson. The Air Force Reserve accomplishes approximately 93 percent of all aeromedical evacuation missions.

Welsh, Cody visit with 138th Airmen

by 2Lt. Jennifer Proctor
138th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2014 - Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tulsa Okla. -- TULSA, Okla. - Airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing, hosted Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III today for a welcomed appearance at the Tulsa Air National Guard base.
Welsh and his wife, Betty, were accompanied by the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody and his wife, Athena.

Welsh spoke to the Airmen about the direction the Air Force will be posturing post sequestration.

During his all-call, he focused on the need to "use common sense, communicate better and care more" in order to be a more effective Total Force.

Welsh said he's "an advocate for every Airman," and offered the idea of redefining "ourselves" in order to better accomplish the mission.

During the brief visit, Welsh and Cody met with wing leadership and Airmen from across the wing, while Mrs. Welsh and Mrs. Cody met with spouses and support agencies to gain understanding of the morale and climate of Air Force families.

Mrs. Welsh and Mrs. Cody entertained questions and discussion in order to better understand their challenges so that they may overcome endeavors in the future. Mrs. Welsh had a direct interest in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and how agencies can assist those with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

Other honorary guests included Lt Gen (Ret.) Harry M. Wyatt III, Brig Gen Gregory Ferguson, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and U.S. Representative Jim Bridenstine.

Langley captain helps save local family

by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Nagle
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2014 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- On the evening of Feb. 11, 2014, a family was driving to their home in Suffolk, Va., when the driver, London Dubois, lost control of the vehicle and plummeted into a retention pond. A nearby resident scrambled toward the vehicle desperate to help the family trapped within.

Fortunately, a U.S Air Force doctor was walking nearby, and sprang into action.

The doctor, Capt. William Brooks, 633rd Medical Operations Squadron emergency medicine physician from Langley Air Force Base, Va., assisted in recovery actions at the scene of the crash, providing CPR to a young girl.

"I was out for a walk with my dog [when] I heard my neighbor's voice yelling for help," said Brooks. "When I reached the [accident site] I saw there was a car in the pond."

Once Brooks arrived to the scene, he focused on the unconscious 2-year-old girl who was just removed from the water along with her older brother, by Brooks' neighbor. While the brothers' breathing was spontaneous, he was still conscious.

"I began doing CPR on the child," said Brooks. "After about four cycles of CPR, she took a shallow breath and coughed."

Inside the neighbor's home, the children were taken out of their wet clothes and given dry clothes to warm them up while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Brooks continued to monitor the young girl until the paramedics arrived, at which point he carried her to the ambulance. Brooks assisted the paramedics as they set her up on a heart monitor and covered her with packs to raise her body temperature.

After the girl was safely in the ambulance, Brooks ran back to the pond to check on his neighbor who had just pulled Dubois from the water. The pair assisted paramedics until they stabilized him on a backboard.

"Unfortunately, we never saw the mother of the children," said Brooks. "It was dark, the water was murky and we had no idea where, in relation to the car, she was located. By the time the dive team had arrived and located her, it was too late. She was transported to a local hospital, but unfortunately passed away."

Brooks felt confident in his ability to respond to the incident because of his training as an emergency medicine physician, having experience in resuscitations.

Even though he did not know the family involved, Brooks has checked in with them since the incident, offering condolences help and support.

[The family is] "overwhelmingly grateful and thankful for what we did," said Brooks.

"I absolutely feel that if we weren't in the right place at the right time that night, the outcome would have been vastly different," said Brooks. "It was truly a team effort. While it was unfortunate the mother passed away, we were able to save three lives that night. Without us there, things could have been much worse."

445th AW provides vital support to 655th ISGR

by Capt. Elizabeth Caraway
445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/11/2014 - WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing keeps a rigorous schedule flying and supporting nine C-17s, aeromedical evacuation missions, and maintaining operational readiness. In Sept 2013, the wing began the additional task of supporting the newly-activated 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group.

The 655th ISRG has grown quickly--an astonishing 1,600 percent from 2012-2013 -- and for the 445th, the rapid growth has meant supporting the ISR group staff and three squadrons stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in functions like recruiting, finance, personnel, training, and communication. However, many wing members are still in the dark about the new unit located across base--who they are, what they do, and their current recruiting efforts.

The mission of the new ISRG is to ensure the training and readiness of Air Force Reserve Command intelligence squadrons engaged in diverse intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission sets, explained Col. Douglas Drakeley, 655th ISRG commander. The independent group reports to 10th Air Force and is composed of 11 squadrons at Wright-Patterson AFB, Langley AFB, Va., Beale AFB, Calif., Hurlburt Field AFB, Fla., Offutt AFB, Neb., and Ft. Meade, Md. Of the more than 900 group positions, 203 personnel are at Wright-Patterson, divided between group staff and the 14th, 64th, and 71st Intelligence Squadrons. Those squadrons have been busy since the get-go, says one squadron commander.

"It's an exciting time to be in intel," said Lt Col Dianne Hickey, 14th Intelligence Squadron commander. "After 9/11, it became even more important. Fighting smarter is key for the future and intel is the key to fighting smarter. More and more, we are seeing the impact of our efforts."

As an acquisition intel squadron, the 14th works with AFMC and the Lifecycle Management Center to create programs that will deal with future threats; they look at technology competitors, political-military relations, and plan for threats to our security that may be 20 years ahead.

"There is more work to do than resources, so we work with an active-duty unit, the 21st IS, and by training with real world material, we can help accomplish real missions," said Hickey.

The 64th and 71st intelligence squadrons stay engaged with active duty units in the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.

"We are busy in the intelligence community," affirmed Drakeley. "There are personnel working 24/7 to accomplish the mission." Those personnel come from a varied background.

Of the 740 group positions that are currently filled, 10 percent are non-prior service, 30 percent are cross-trainees, and 60 percent are intel professionals leaving active duty or IMA positions, members of the Guard looking for new opportunities, or current intel members changing units. Some positions were filled by members of the 445th AW.

The 445 AW has also been instrumental in meeting staff level functions absent from the group.

"The 445th Airlift Wing has given us phenomenal support," said Hickey. "I don't know if we'll ever be able to give it back, but they've been wonderful."

"We would not have had nearly the success we've experienced without the 445th Airlift Wing," said Drakeley. "When AFRC looked at Wright-Patt as a potential location for the new group, one of the things they looked at was the proven success of the existing Reserve presence. The 445th paved the way and has continued to ensure the success of the 655th ISR group. We are truly appreciative for the support and professionalism of the men and women of the 445th."

Drakeley acknowledged the outstanding support of the 445th AW recruiting office in filling the new unit positions. "They have worked very closely with my staff and squadron commanders to help us get the right people in the right positions."

The 655th ISRG is still recruiting to fill the more than 160 open positions at six bases. Openings are available for Active Guard Reserve, Air Reserve Technician, Traditional Reserve, and civilian positions. Interested personnel should contact Master Sgt. Allen Hall at (937) 257-4607 or allen.hall.1@us.af.mil.

Soldiers learn the logistics of the Air Force

by Staff Sgt. Alexander Burnett
21st Theater Sustainment Command

3/12/2014 - KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  -- Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command learned about the 86th Logistics Readiness Group's mission during a visit to Ramstein Airbase March 7.

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen and build partnerships between the 86th LRG and the 21st TSC through a tour highlighting the LRG's vehicle operations and deployment and distribution capabilities.

"These soldiers are getting a full day of information on what the Logistics Readiness Group and our two squadrons do," said Col. Brooks B. Reese, the 86th LRG commander and a native of Orem, Utah. "These visits are important because it builds a cross-talk between our two forces. The 21st (TSC) certainly understands ground logistics, but we can teach them about the air."

Reese gave the soldiers a briefing on the mission and responsibilities of the LRG and their impact to the mission on Ramstein Airbase. He showcased their role in munitions transport and storage, vehicle maintenance and readiness, issuing equipment and deployment readiness. He concluded with an example of logistics importance.

"Do you know what a pilot is without logistical support?" Reese asked his audience. "A pedestrian with a fancy jacket."

The soldiers then toured the 86th LRS' deployment distribution facility. Regardless of service branch, this facility can issue equipment and weapons, provide legal and financial support, and offer any other service a deploying service member may need. The facility staff are prepared to provide their services on short notice, said Air Force Airman 1st Class Vanessa R. Zapata, a material management journeyman assigned to the 86th LRG and a native of Covina, Calif.

"Anyone going on a deployment through Ramstein Airbase, including Army personnel may end up in this facility to draw equipment, so it is important that they understand how we do things," said Zapata. "If we all understand each other's systems, it makes deployments and operations much simpler."

From there, the group split into two. One group toured the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron, while the other toured the 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The 86th VRS tour covered all areas the squadron is responsible for. The 'First in Support' detachment learned about all of the squadron's processes from dispatching vehicles to maintenance procedures. They also toured several facilities including the maintenance bays and fabrication shop.

"We saw how they requisition parts and all of their specialty shops; it is very interesting to see how the Air Force performs all of these tasks within their organizations," said Capt. Laura A. Hamilton, the end items logistics management deputy for the 21st TSC and a native of Woodbridge, Va. "All of the Air Force maintenance facilities are very specialized and streamlined."

The group then toured the 86th LRS Traffic Management Office warehouse. The facility is comparable to the Army Supply Sustainment Activity, where parts are stored and distributed to the requisitioning unit. The 86th LRS warehouse, however, services all units on Ramstein Airbase.

"The warehouse was huge. It is so large that the Air Force has robots to assist in moving parts from one part of the warehouse to the other," Hamilton said. "Just like their vehicle maintenance, this is a more centralized and streamlined version of what we have in the Army."

As the visit came to a close, the 86th LRG afforded their Army guests the chance to ask questions on their operations. As the 'First in Support' delegation departed, all agreed the visit was a huge success.

"This visit was very beneficial for us. It definitely built the partnership between our branches," Hamilton said. "I think we will all bring some lessons learned for logistics back to the 21st."

Mission Spotlight: Real life Shaggy and Scooby-Doo

by Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- "I get to come to work every day and hang out with my best friend," said Staff Sgt. Rodreques Boyd of the 80-pound German Sheppard he works beside.

Comparing the K-9 to the likes and size of "Scooby-Doo," Boyd and his partner, Nado, are a part of the 31st Security Forces Squadron military working dog team, charged with providing vital support to ensuring the security of the base.

The mission for any Security Forces specialist is to protect the people, property and resources of the U.S. Air Force. All Airmen, including those with four legs and a tail, must be able to protect against hostile forces, conduct investigations and apprehend and detain suspects.

"Our main objective as a military working dog team is to detect any kind of explosives, uncover enemy positions and find any hidden narcotics," explained Boyd. "We are training as a team every day to stay proficient in case we deploy."

According to Boyd, training overseas has a bigger challenge for MWD teams as opposed to teams working in the states.

"The first thing we must learn is our host language and how to say our warning order," said Boyd. "During a building search, we have to yell in English and Italian, 'This is Staff Sgt. Boyd with a military working dog. You have 30 seconds to come out.'"

Long before handlers begin memorizing warning orders in the host nation's language, they must first start at the 37th Training Wing at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; where they spend three and half months learning all about the dogs.

"This intense training teaches us everything about the dog; from the psychology of the dog to proper grooming techniques," said Boyd. "We also take classes teaches us self-aid buddy care for the dog in case they get hurt or bit by an insect."

The dog's training begins with the foundational basics. The commands are composed of sit, stay and basic aggressions.

"The dog's first base is where the handler refines their skills on how to detect and track, ensure they stay proficient at the obedience course and teach them how to avoid distractions like other animals," said Boyd. "There are so many things these dogs are capable of, but it's the handler's responsibility to provide them all the knowledge."

Once the duo has met training requirements and seems to be a good fit, they are able to perform daily tasks to include patrolling the base, performing traffic stops and other duties security forces members are responsible for.

According to Boyd, although being a MWD handler is the best job ever, while performing some of the daily SFS tasks, it can still be stressful.

"While I'm walking through the BX during a patrol, I'm thinking about 100 different things: while expecting kids to come up and pet my dog," said Boyd. "I don't ever want to be the bad guy and tell a kid no, but some dogs won't react the way you think they should and someone can get hurt. Everyone should know if a handler says please don't touch my dog, they are not doing it to be mean, but doing it for your safety."

Boyd considers these occurrences in public places to be training for the dogs when they go downrange.

"There will be instances where we have to jump in an (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle) and we will be in closed proximately to other troops. I need to know that my dog is at least tolerant of the situation and will be OK," explained Boyd.

While deployed, the duo is attached to units and responsible for tasks such as clearing roads.

"Downrange we are a force multiplier," said Boyd. "When clearing a building or road, my dog and I can clear it more quickly and efficiently. Instead of sending a full team to do the same job, putting them in harm's way, only two Airmen are sent."

Additionally, MWD assist in situations where people may struggle and offer handlers an advantage.

"There are times when a suspect will go into a dark crawlspace and instead of you going in blind, your dog can go in and get him," Boyd continued. "Most of the time, the dog barking is enough to scare the perpetrator to come out."

After serving nine MWD taskings and six years of building friendships with eight different dogs, Boyd says he has the best job in the Air Force because of one reason.

"I need to be able to see my success every day and by me instilling my knowledge into my dog, there isn't a greater feeling," explained Boyd. "I can be in front of a large group of people, give my dog a command and have that perpetrator comply just by the dog's actions. I am always teaching Nado things just like he is teaching me."

Face of Defense: Injury, Loss Lead Soldier to Help Others

By Army Staff Sgt. Taikeila Chancey

U.S. Army Central

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C., March 12, 2014 – Army Sgt. 1st Class Perry Taylor suffered serious back injuries when his convoy struck a roadside bomb in Iraq. Last year, the Campbell, Ala., native lost his mother to diabetes, due in large part, he said, to poor eating habits.

Taylor, 45, chose physical training over surgery to recover from his injury, and he vowed to maintain a strict diet to improve his overall health. Now, Taylor has turned his dedication into a passion for helping others.

"When I see a person who is overweight and struggling, if asked, I will go above and beyond the call of duty to help them, because I see my mom in them,” he said. “I don't ever want anyone to go through that pain, if I can help it.”

According to the Gallup research firm, the U.S. adult obesity rate increased in 2013 to 27.2 percent, up from 26.2 percent in 2012, and is on pace to surpass all annual average obesity rates since the company began keeping statistics in 2008. In 2013, South Carolina, home of U.S. Army Central, ranked as the seventh-most obese state in the United States.

With an ever-growing population suffering from obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive weight gain and heart disease, the need to be healthier has never been greater. Soldiers are required to maintain a certain level of physical fitness, but when Monday-through-Friday physical training alone is not enough, they can look for a different approach to meet or exceed the Army standard. Working with a personal trainer like Taylor is one of the most popular approaches.

Maj. David Riley, U.S. Army Central’s personnel plans officer, has attended Taylor’s lunchtime workout session for a month.

“I have noticed a significant change in my body tone, as well as my overall health,” Riley said. “I feel that allowing Sergeant 1st Class Taylor the chance to change my life has been very effective and motivating.”

Taylor -- a 24-year infantryman, newlywed, father and combat veteran -- has trained more than 200 soldiers and has written fitness plans to assist many in meeting or exceeding Army standards. His motto, he said, is "Let me change your life."

Taylor added that his own life changed during two deployments.

While deployed in 2001 during the initial invasion of Iraq, Taylor said, he and other soldiers were hit with a depleted uranium shell while they were attempting to seize Baghdad International Airport. “I was nearly paralyzed on my left side for a period of time, requiring steroid shots and physical therapy,” he said.

During another deployment to Iraq in 2007, he suffered his back injury.

“I was informed by doctors that my back had a 25 percent chance of healing on its own without surgery,” Taylor said. “I chose not to have the surgery and immediately put more effort into living healthy and being physically fit."

While visiting with injured soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Taylor said, he has seen many of them overcoming incredible odds and injuries.

“My point here is no matter how far gone you think you may be, there is always hope and a healthy solution if you are determined,” he said. “I tell everyone not to let an injury hold them back. There is almost always a way.”

Taylor not only became a personal trainer, but also is certified in a variety of fitness regimens. He said he always is available for a soldier who needs a helping hand in becoming healthier. Army Staff Sgt. Alicia Lance, who recently gave birth, is a recent first-time attendee of Taylor’s lunchtime training session.

“I joined the class not only to get back in shape, but for my overall physical health. I’m happy I decided to join and feel assured I will get just what I came here for,” she said.

“I love helping people and having the ability to help them change their lives,” Taylor said. “Being able to see the increase in their self-confidence and overall health makes me incredibly happy."

KMC educators strengthen children's imagination

by Airman 1st Class Holly Mansfield
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/11/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany  -- Kicking off its 17th year, more than 45 million students, educators and parents celebrated Read Across America in schools stateside and on military installations overseas. Read Across America week ran from March 3-7 at Kaiserslautern Military Community schools and Child Development Centers.

Using hands-on activities, children learned the power of reading and how it affects the over-all learning process.

"Read Across America is always held around March 2 to celebrate the week of Dr. Seuss' birthday," said Pam Garrett, Ramstein Elementary School teacher. "All week the school has different themes for the children to dress up for and have different activities to go with our theme of 'Sink Your Teeth Into Good Books All Year Long.'"

Throughout the week, people from around the community volunteered at elementary schools and CDCs to read and organize activities for students.

"We are so fortunate to have a lot of volunteers, from older students to spouses and military members, coming out to read to children and help set up different activities," said Garrett.

Cheryl Woodruf, Ramstein Elementary School second-grade teacher, invited a special guest of her own to read to her class.

"Ms. Woodruf and her second-grade class were very kind to invite me. I appreciate it very much and they selected the book for me to read," said Sharon Gorenc, wife of Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. "I really enjoy Dr. Seuss but I admit I had to practice reading the book first because, as you know, Dr. Seuss likes to put a lot of tongue twisters in his stories."

With different themes for each day, such as, wear green Monday and Cat in the Hat Thursday, children at Ramstein Elementary School used hands-on techniques to celebrate the week. Each class throughout the school also does activities such as making their own green eggs and ham.

"I think experiencing a book takes it to a whole other level," said Gorenc. "Hands-on activities do just that and actually eating green eggs and ham can make the story come alive. It makes a great impact on children, captures their imagination and fosters even more love of reading."

Using different techniques to grasp a child's attention in a story is a characteristic that some praise Dr. Seuss for accomplishing. Having different words, some made up, that rhyme to keep the story going can grasp a child's imagination so it can grow.

"What I think makes Dr. Seuss so unique is that he has a lot of rhythm and rhyming in his stories," said Gorenc. "He's very poetic so it makes it fun to read. He also throws in a lot of crazy characters and words that I think make it capture a child's imagination."

For a former teacher, like Gorenc, showing children the power of a good education is a way of life.

"It's really important to instill in young people a love of learning and reading at an early age because that's when you can start building their confidence in learning," said Gorenc. "I don't teach anymore but it's who I am and what I wanted to do. I used my skills with my own children and still work with my granddaughters."

Gorenc believes building a bond between children and the person teaching them during the celebration week is just the beginning.

"Read Across America is wonderful but I think that it's a start," said Gorenc. "I believe that you should celebrate reading every week. If you can set aside reading time with your children, then make it fun and sneak in a little bit of learning and confidence building."

Through Read Across America week, KMC educators showed children that reading and promoting education is for all ages at all times of the year.

AF undersecretary: Budget uncertainty worries Airmen

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service / Published March 11, 2014

Airmen are worried about budgetary uncertainty, and service leaders pledge to be transparent about priorities and programs available as the service moves forward, Air Force Undersecretary Eric Fanning said here March 11.

Speaking to the Defense Writers Group, Fanning told reporters he has heard from quite a few Airmen about their concerns about the force.

"The main thing I promised is to continue to be transparent and to try and make decisions to get us to whatever the new normal is as quickly as possible," he said. "This has not been easy, because we still don't know what that is going to be."

None of the services can really plan beyond fiscal year 2015 because of the specter of sequestration spending cuts the following year. The Budget Control Act of 2011 is still the law of the land. While Congress passed a law giving some relief from sequestration in fiscal 2014 and 2015, the law will go back into full effect in fiscal 2016.

If full sequestration is triggered, the Air Force will have to reduce the number of Airmen further, and in a much steeper manner, Fanning said.

"We've made proposals on force structure and making the Air Force smaller, but we have to see what Congress will approve," he said. "Certainly, there is a lot of angst out there for what the future holds."

Some Airmen have complained that the service appears to value equipment more than people, Fanning said.

"I read a lot of these blogs too," he said. "There are a lot of Airmen who understand that part of our commitment to them is if we're going to send them into harm's way, we're going to send them with the best equipment and the readiest that we can."

The service must balance among capacity, capability and readiness, Fanning told the defense writers, noting that spending money on Airmen only makes sense if those Airmen are ready and equipped to fight the nation's battles.

"I think (Airmen) understand the decisions we are making in terms of investing in the technology that sets the Air Force apart and gives them the edge in a fight," he said.

Air Force leaders are still committed to giving Airmen the time to adjust to whatever decision comes forth, Fanning said.

"We are still committed to using voluntary programs to the maximum extent possible before we will do anything in an involuntary way," he said.

The air fleet is getting older and smaller by the year, he said, so the service must invest in next-generation platforms.

"We've been fighting a war in two theaters where we owned the airspace in a way that we won't in other types of conflicts that are more contested," Fanning said.

In the fiscal 2015 budget request, the service focuses specifically on capability over capacity.

"That's why you see the Air Force aggressively trying to get rid of its older fleets and older infrastructure," he said. As this continues, he added, the Air Force’s advantage in tactical airpower and in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets will increase.

"These are two areas where we will see significant advancement," Fanning said.

The undersecretary said he also expects improvements across the board from investments in space and cyber technology.

"We cannot, in this environment, afford to invest in all the recapitalization and all the platforms we want to," Fanning said. But amid all the budget issues the U.S. Air Force is still the most potent air arm in the world, he said, and it must be ready to fight today and in the future.

"That balance between the fight today and the fight tomorrow is a struggle that we are going to be dealing with for a long time because of these budget numbers," Fanning said. "But we still are, by far, the best Air Force in the world -- even in any of the scenarios we project out over 10 years. The issue is with the budget you have, and you stack that up against the missions you are assigned. That's the metric I use."

‘Transition GPS’ Helps Troops Re-enter Civilian World

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2014 – Feedback on “Transition GPS,” which prepares service members to enter the civilian workforce, indicates it improves on the program it replaced, director of the Defense Department’s Transition to Veterans Program office said here yesterday.

Transition GPS -- for goals, plans and success -- is a redesigned, weeklong curriculum that replaces the Transition Assistance Program with a more in-depth approach that is a “significant improvement,” Susan S. Kelly said.

Participating service members give high marks to the Transition GPS program, she noted.

“We have received very positive reviews from the service members,” Kelly said. “They’re telling us they’ll use the content to prepare for transition, use it after they separate, [and] they know how to access resources they’re going to need before and after they separate. That’s a very positive outcome for the program so far.”

Kelly emphasized the need for service members not only to take the full weeklong course, but also to get started early in Transition GPS before they begin the separation process.

“Every service member, whether they’re completing their first tour of duty or they’re separating as a four-star general, will separate from active duty,” she added. “So the best plan for everyone is to start early, because this is your exit strategy.”

The redesigned program stems from the Veterans Opportunities to Work -- or VOW -- to Hire Heroes Act, she said.

Congress mandated the core part of Transition GPS for all active-duty, Guard and Reserve service members. From there, DOD created a mandatory policy for service members to meet career-readiness standards before they leave military service, Kelly added.

The redesign of the old Transition Assistance Program began with “a very large and successful partnership” with the Labor, Veterans Affairs and Education departments; the Office of Personnel Management; and the Small Business Administration. The agencies jointly decided what service members need to prepare for re-entering civilian life, Kelly said.

In Transition GPS, Kelly said, service members can choose personal goals. “We give them the training, skills and information … to be able to navigate multiple systems very successfully,” she added.

The mandatory eight-hour core curriculum includes training in pre-separation counseling, a Veterans Affairs benefits briefing and a Labor Department employment workshop, Kelly explained.

For those who attend the full five-day curriculum, various modules help service members match their military training with prospective civilian jobs.

Transition GPS also offers three additional two-day tracks to service members, which concentrate on meeting goals such as going to a college or university on the Post-9/11 GI Bill; technical training schools to obtain certifications, licenses and apprenticeships; and an entrepreneur track for those who want to start a business, she said.

While the core curriculum is available now at military installations, the full Transition GPS program is expected to be in place at the end of the year at facilities around the world, Kelly said. The entire program also is available online, she noted.

“For service members facing imminent transition, the entire Transition GPS curriculum is available online, with 24/7 access,” she said. All of the curriculum’s modules are posted on Joint Knowledge Online for service members to move at their own speed to complete the training, and they can return to the site as veterans for a refresher, she added.

“By hosting it in JKO, DOD is sending a message that preparing for separation is a training expectation of all service members,” Kelly said.

While Transition GPS helps service members ease back into civilian life and gives them the tools for seeking jobs, pursuing education and managing day-to-day issues such as finances, the program doesn’t end there, Kelly said. To make sure Transition GPS is meeting its goals, she explained, DOD will follow up on its former students as they begin careers, continue their education or start businesses.

“We’re looking at several long-term outcomes,” Kelly said. DOD is committed to setting up the infrastructure to collect data, which will begin as soon as the program’s information technology is in place, she noted.

“My advice to any service member is three words,” Kelly said. “Get started now.”