Council addresses Airmen issues

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Officials of the Force Management and Development Council recently met under its revitalized structure and is now better organized to address issues facing all Airmen -- enlisted, officer and civilian.

The 27 senior leaders who make up the council have met biannually since 2004, and in the most recent assembly, the council made key decisions that will affect everyone in the Air Force.

"Force development is a strategic priority," said Gen. William M. Fraser III, the Air Force vice chief of staff. "Resources are tight and we need to be efficient, but I am committed to ensuring we have this right. We need to make this group a feeder of information to four-star councils."

The FMDC is administered by the Air Staff A1 Force Development Directorate, headed by Joseph M. McDade Jr.. Within the council are six panels:
-- Civilian Force Development
-- Enlisted Force Development
-- Officer Force Development
-- Air Force Learning Committee
-- Expeditionary Skills Senior Review Group
-- Nuclear Enterprise Advisory Panel

"Important decisions need to be made for the Air Force in a time of resource constraints," Mr. McDade said. "Our six panels report to the council about the issues and concerns around the Air Force so senior leaders are better informed to make appropriate and effective human resource decisions."

One of the primary concerns the council addresses is education. While there are several leadership courses for military Airmen, there aren't as many opportunities for civilians, Mr. McDade said.

"Civilians fill 60 percent of field grade officer equivalent assignments, more than ever before," he said. "We need to ensure those civilians are best prepared to be successful, not only for themselves, but for the people they supervise as well. Air Force civilians need to be more than just technical experts; they need to be leaders."

The council, chaired by the vice chief of staff of the Air Force and including the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, also addressed officer and enlisted force concerns.

"We need to think about the training needed for the Airmen today, not training based on past requirements," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "We should deliberately develop Airmen to operate in today's environment and prepare them for the mission-critical leadership and followership roles they will be filling in their future."

In addition, the council members discussed how professional military education course curricula could be enhanced to better develop Airmen. They approved improving education on:
-- Nuclear mission responsibilities
-- Combating human trafficking
-- Addressing the media

One of the other responsibilities of the council is to examine expeditionary skills training and ensure that when Airmen deploy, they're ready to contribute to the fight, Mr. McDade said.

"The oversight the FMDC provides will ensure that Airmen are trained appropriately with the important skillsets they need," he said. "And if another organization wants to add to that development, the FMDC will help determine the who, what, when, where, why and how to make that development happen."

With further council meetings, the FMDC will have the people in the room to make necessary decisions for the future of the Air Force. The next council meeting is scheduled for spring 2009.

For more information on the council, click on the Force Management and Development Council link on the Air Force Portal.