-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 0252. Mentoring goes virtual with eVector by Senior Airman Matthew Miller Air Force Personnel Center News Service RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Commanders and supervisors now have a quick and easy way to track their officers through Air Force Personnel Centers newest online mentoring tool -- eVector. Much more than the typical "single uniform retrieval format" document currently available on each officer, eVector provides valuable information on other topics such as military pay and per diem, service dates, promotion eligibility, decorations, joint and rated information. eVector also contains career progression guidance, education and training information, assignment preferences and duty history, all in one convenient format. "Our culture requires mentorship at many levels, but particularly at the commander level," said Lt. Gen. Donald Peterson, Air Force Personnel deputy chief of staff. "As an example, our Air Force assignment system mandates commander involvement and mentoring. Since we require our folks to mentor their people, we needed to provide a user-friendly mentoring tool for them to use. The answer was eVector. Mentoring is important to our Air Force. It not only positively impacts retention, it also allows for more effective use of our resources." "eVector pulls everything together in one place," said Lt. Col. Mike Gamble, AF Personnel assignment programs and procedures division chief. "It includes information specific to the individual and links to programs and resources a mentor might want to refer to when counseling." More than 30 links to other career-related Web sites, such as tuition assistance programs, relocation information, Air Force Aid and GI Bill sites, are available with eVector. A mentor can then use this data to give accurate advice tuned to the individual's needs and circumstances, Gamble said. "We wanted to capitalize on the information already available in the assignment management system and the AFPC home page, and consolidate links to other important career-related web sites," Gamble said. With eVector, individuals can now access a myriad of information on themselves, and they can also easily grant permission to others whom they consider "mentors," all in one convenient location. Permission will automatically be given to the officer's preference worksheet reviewer, most often the unit commander. Other access must originate from the member. "With this feature, individuals control who has access to their information," Gamble said. "They can also designate several mentors, including those outside their chain of command. We realize that your 'mentor' may be someone at another base. eVector facilitates that relationship. Of course, we encourage all officers to grant access to their current supervisor, as well as the person who has the most influence on their career. Current capabilities do not allow AFPC to automatically grant access to supervisors. However, we expect to include this function in future enhancements." "A similar version of eVector is currently under development for our enlisted members," said 1st Lt. Joe Golembiewski, AF Personnel assignment systems program development officer in charge. It will provide basically the same information to their mentors, plus information unique to enlisted members. In the meantime, there is an enlisted page that offers links to several enlisted career-related Web sites. Individuals can access eVector through the assignment management system, a secure network connection on the AFPC home page at <http://afas.afpc.randolph.af.mil/afas/afas-main1.htm>.(Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 0254. AF survey reveals upward trend in quality-of-life issues WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Findings from an Air Force survey conducted last summer indicate pay and compensation initiatives passed by Congress are yielding positive results among airmen. In July, the service distributed a survey via e-mail to a random sample of Air Force members. More than 14,500 people responded during the 12-day period. The sample was selected to be representative of company grade and field grade officers, and first-term, second-term and career airmen. The survey also included a representative sample of commanders and first sergeants, who, because of their proximity to the troops, were asked to identify the number one quality-of-life issue in their respective units, and to offer their perception of the impact of the pay and compensation initiatives on retention, survey officials said. "The primary goal of the survey was to look at whether or not the initiatives from the fiscal 2000 National Defense Authorization Act had turned things around," said Charles Hamilton, chief of the Air Force Personnel Center Survey Branch, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. The survey's conclusions are located on the AFPC home page at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/surveys. The survey included such issues as career intentions, compensation and benefits, retirements, health care, tempo, housing and general well-being. On the retention front, data indicated an upward swing across the board in career intent, particularly with second-term airmen -- 49 percent said they would stay for 20 years of service. The percentage of field grade officers who planned to stay until retirement also increased. In the area of housing, a member's satisfaction depended upon where he or she lived. Generally, respondents living off base stated they were more satisfied with their housing than those living on base. Airmen living in dormitories were the least satisfied. Response to questions on basic allowance for housing compensation was mixed, with officers stating they were more satisfied with their allowance than enlisted members. Overall, though, only about one-quarter of the respondents said BAH adequately covered housing costs. Another priority, educational opportunities, yielded positive responses in the survey, particularly for enlisted members. Web-based education, while service members are deployed, received high ratings by officers and enlisted members. Additionally, respondents were asked questions about the aerospace expeditionary force and tempo. About 50 percent of those assigned to an AEF unit agree that AEF provides predictability, and slightly less than half said it improved their ability to plan. Regarding tempo, the 2000 data saw nearly no change in reported work hours. Officers reported working between 52 and 57 hours a week; enlisted reported working between 45 and 51 hours a week. Health care offered somewhat mixed reviews. Although most respondents indicated they were generally satisfied with their current health care, they reported being less satisfied with their families' access to health care. On the retirement system side, the survey revealed congressional changes to the military retirement system are favorably impacting service members' attitudes. Ratings were up, notably among company grade officer and second-term enlisted respondents, who gave a 59 percent and 46 percent approval rating, respectively. "The data indicate that the October 1999 pay raise and retirement system changes are going to have a positive impact," Hamilton said. 0255. AEF conference goal to improve deployments by Lt. Col. Bryan A. Holt Aerospace Expeditionary Force Center Public Affairs LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Making sure deploying airmen get the information they need, passing on "lessons learned," and overcoming the difficulties found at specific locations were among the topics discussed at the planning conference for the next round of Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployments. The Air Force AEF Center here hosted the AEF 5-6 planning conference recently. Nearly 250 people from throughout the Air Force attended. For the first time, attendees included Air Force representatives from operations currently supported by AEF deployments such as Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iceland and counterdrug operations. The 355th Wing at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., will serve as lead wing for AEF 5, which is headed for Northern Watch and Iceland and also will participate in counterdrug operations. The 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB, S.C., will serve as the lead wing for AEF 6 at Southern Watch. According to conference officials, one of the key concerns addressed was the continuing need for units to identify their inability to fill a deployment position as soon as possible. Following extensive discussions, participants divided into smaller working group sessions based upon functional areas including senior leadership, operations, maintenance, logistics, and support. Attendees were given a live, hands-on demonstration of the newly unveiled "EAF Online" Web site and the online "AEF Commanders' Playbook." Airmen can access EAF Online before deploying to obtain information about their deployed jobs and missions. The playbook serves as a one-stop deployment information shop for airmen. Participants left the conference with a greater understanding of AEFs and overall Air Force operations, conference officials said. For more information on the conference or AEFs in general, visit the military restricted Web site at https://aefcenter.acc.af.mil, available only from dot-mil and dot-gov computers. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service) 0253. America's Air Force flies down under for Australian International Airshow by Master Sgt. Darla J. Ernst Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs VICTORIA, Australia (AFPN) -- America's Air Force has gone "down under" to show the capabilities and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force at the Australian International Airshow 2001 at the Avalon Airport in Victoria. Approximately 100 Air Force pilots, aircrew members and maintainers participated in the show, which boasted more than 700 static displays and welcomed more than 200,000 people during the public days Feb. 16-18. U.S. Air Force aircraft on display included a B-1B Lancer from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.; a KC-135 Stratotanker from Kadena Air Base, Japan; and two Kadena F-15 Eagles that were flown by the Air Combat Command West Coast F-15 Demonstration Team. Also included were two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Misawa AB, Japan, flown by the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team; a B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale AFB, La.; and a C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston AFB, S.C. Participation in the airshow demonstrated the United States' commitment to the Pacific Region and allowed an opportunity for Pacific forces to work together, said Maj. Brad Bingaman, assistant air attaché for Australia. In addition to performing each day at the week-long airshow, aircrews were involved in community events, visiting schools and hosting youth and adult community groups at their aircraft. Capt. Robby Hanovich, a C-17 pilot from Charleston AFB, spent a day with school children at Kardina International College, talking about the Air Force and the C-17 he flies. The B-1B's first appearance at the Australian International Airshow attracted much media and public attention. Lt. Col. Brad Link, B-1B pilot from the Kansas Air National Guard, was featured on a morning radio show, on local television news and in the local newspaper. "The aircraft attracts a lot of attention and I love telling people about it," he said. "This is the fifth biennial Australian airshow. The U.S. military has participated in all four previous shows. (Courtesy of PACAF News Service) 0256 Air Force psychologist receives presidential citation by Senior Airman Jason Smith 437 Airlift Wing Public Affairs CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. (AFPN) -- The president of the American Psychological Association recently awarded Lt. Col. Frank Budd, 437th Medical Group Behavioral Sciences Flight commander, a presidential citation. Budd is the first Air Force psychologist the APA has honored with this award for individual achievement. The civilian psychology consultant for the Air Force surgeon general nominated Budd for the award. The citation was based on Budd's "contributions to psychology through prevention and community education, and his recent award for 'Outstanding Contributions to Air Force Clinical Psychology.'" "Most of my work for the citation was in suicide awareness and a commitment to training the community on mental health issues," Budd said. "...I feel very honored, but I have worked with many outstanding people over the years whose dedication to prevention made this award possible." The clinic here has an extensive suicide awareness program recognized by Headquarters Air Mobility Command and the Air Force Surgeon General's Office, Budd said. Some of the things developed here include a suicide awareness video, slide presentations, intranet-based training, a comprehensive handbook, civilian and reservist training, commanders' call briefings and health fairs. Other projects have reached outside Charleston AFB, including incorporating his materials into the AMC Squadron Commanders Course and a handbook used at the First Sergeants Academy. Recently, Budd returned from serving on a unique, multi-disciplinary team, sponsored by the Air Force Surgeon General's Office, to revitalize the Air Force suicide awareness program. His office also provides marriage counseling, Budd said. In 2000, he and his team recaptured $60,000 for the clinic that would have been used for off-base TRICARE counseling. "We saw about 100 couples in 2000, and that number will probably go up in 2001," he said. "The greatest cause of depression and suicide attempts is problems in relationships." Programs and training have also been provided to members of the Charleston AFB primary care team. "We've worked a lot with health care providers to make them more aware of signs of depression and anxiety to increase accurate diagnosis and treatment," Budd said. "Mental health is as important as physical health. Decades of research have shown up to 40-60 percent of people who see a doctor for a physical problem actually have the problem because of mental or emotional stress. "It's easier to go to a doctor and say 'I have a headache,' than it is to go to a psychologist and say 'I feel emotionally wiped out because my husband is having an affair,'" Budd said. "We are developing a whole new generation of leaders who understand an appointment at mental health will not ruin a career." "Here at Team Charleston every commander and helping agency is united in a total team effort to get maximum performance both personally and professionally from our most precious asset, our people," he said. "This means giving them the resources to be effective, not just the mandates to be so." (Courtesy of AMC News Service) 0257. Air Force firefighters train with Native American fireman by Staff Sgt. J. Elaine Phillinganes 355th Wing Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- Firefighters here got together with their Native American counterparts at the T'ohono O'odham Nation to share a training program that prepares them for aircraft accidents on or near Nation lands. "It allowed our personnel to interact with other 'first responders' and share some knowledge and insight on responding to downed aircraft," said Randy Schryer, a firefighter with the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron. Topics included helping aircrews get out of an aircraft quickly and the potentially hazardous materials that can be found at crash sites. It's the same training usually given to civilian emergency units near Air Force bases, Schryer said. The training covered the A-10 Thunderbolt and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, two aircraft that frequent local airspace. The Nation sent people from its fire, police, hazardous-material and environmental departments. The base firefighters were pleased with the training; it featured "good interaction during the classroom instruction and hands-on demonstration, which prompted several questions and interesting dialog between D-M's firefighters and the Nation's first responders," Schryer said. "I thought it was really informative," said Mike Rivas, T'ohono O'odham Police Department ranger supervisor. "It helped me see the dangers of (approaching) a crash (site) and I found it worth my time and the Nation's to send <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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