WASHINGTON –
The Force Management and Development Council members recently approved an initiative that will change the way the Air Force grows the next generation of senior enlisted leaders.
The initiative originated with the Enlisted Force Development Panel and will enable the enlisted force to move forward in deliberately developing senior enlisted leaders. Career field leaders will be able to manage enlisted talent and identify the right Airmen, for the right job, at the right time.
This process will evaluate targeted ranks within select Air Force specialty codes and will vector senior NCOs who have the right training, education, and experience to critical positions within their career fields. AFPC still remains the assignment authority, but will consider the Airmen's vector when matching for assignments.
FMDC officials also approved an EFDP initiative requiring NCO Academy attendance prior to pinning on technical sergeant. This initiative will provide NCOs the leadership skills they need earlier in their career, better preparing them to lead Airmen.
To enable this decision to become a reality, the FMDC approved expanding NCOA capacity by 16 additional classrooms at existing locations. The exact locations will be determined by a site activation task force in the near future.
Enlisted members can also join discussions with fellow Airmen across the Air Force on these initiatives and other professional development issues by participating in the discussion forums in My Enlisted Development Plan.
Visit the Air Force Force Development Portal through the Air Force Portal to learn more about the FMDC and EFDP or to participate in MyEDP discussion forums. For more information, call 703-692-5560.
(Chief Master Sgt. Terry West contributed to this article) (AFNS)