AFPC commander visits AOR

Published Sept. 3, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
AFCENT News Team

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- It might seem that a two star general and 31-year Air Force veteran would have experienced everything the service has to offer but the Air Force Personnel Center commander had a career milestone that she had not crossed until her recent trip to Southwest Asia.

When the opportunity to put her boots on the ground in the Air Forces Central theater of operations for the first time, Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain jumped at opportunity. Her priority for the trip was to see as much as possible and meet with the Airmen serving here in hopes of discovering how she could better assist them.

"I have not been deployed to the AOR, so I felt it was very important to come," she said. "You think you understand from a long distance what the issues are, but when you see the mission first hand, it gives you a better understanding. I felt it was very, very important to come do that. I truly wanted to put eyes on the environment here and to hear from the people who are executing this mission what their issues are."

During her visit, the native of Sayre, Okla., had the opportunity to visit a various locations throughout Southwest Asia, sharing with Airmen how the personnel center can help them.

"I am very big on communication and that people understand what we are doing and why we are doing it," General McClain said. "I think this has been a great opportunity to talk to Airmen, to help educate them and at the same time, learn what their issues are so we can adjust some of our programs."

At each stop, the general was also eager to learn how Airmen felt the personnel center could better serve them and what processes need to be fine tuned.

"I have come up with ideas and issues that we need to work at the center so we can make it better here," she said. "I have heard some issues Airmen had and that tells me we need to refine an application or refine some of our business rules to help here. It is a process, a journey as I tell people, and I really solicit feedback because we have to provide a good product. If we can do something better that is what we are here for."

In an effort to streamline services, the personnel function has embraced its ability to provide 24/7 access to service and help for Airmen.

"We have come up with our Personnel Service Delivery Transformation moving some services to the Web site," General McClain said. "This makes personnel more accessible, and also provides our service more efficiently. Now, for some of the things Airmen need to do, instead of having to come to the personnel flight, they can now do it online at their convenience. This is hopefully more efficient and faster for the individual than having to do a face-to-face transaction. We also have a 24/7 call center, so if an individual is having difficulty with an application or has a question, there will always be a voice there."

The Oklahoma State University graduate also took time to look into retention - an Air Force hot topic.

"The Air Force invests a great deal in each Airmen, and we want to ensure we continue to retain those Airmen where they are needed," she said. "So we are looking at issues that impact retention and how we can affect those issues. One issue we are working at the personnel center is giving Airmen at least 60-day notice of their deployment because we think that has an impact on retention. Short notice deployments impact the family too. We are also looking at bonuses and where to apply that money to have the most positive impact on retention."

In addition, the commander's team at the personnel center is also working to ensure that deployment requirements are scrubbed and accurate.

"I have talked to a couple of Airmen who said 'I thought I was coming over to do 'X' and when I got here I was doing 'Y','" General McClain said. "We are working with AFCENT and AFFOR to ensure requirements are accurate. We need to ensure we are putting the right person, in the right place at the right time."

After reflecting on her first visit here, one thing has stood out in particular to the general - her fellow Airmen's commitment to the mission.

"I have talked at a number of locations to Airmen, and their commitment to this mission is unwavering," she said. "A lot of them want to stay and are willing to extend. I was talking to one young Airman at Camp Bucca, and she told me that at home station they were looking for a volunteer for a 365 and she said, 'If I was there, I would volunteer for that.' So I think that speaks volumes for our Airmen, their professionalism and their commitment."