CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston, we, and all of Air Mobility Command, completed the past 101 Critical Days of Summer with zero fatalities. As we head into fall, we need to continue to promote vigilance with regard to fire, motor vehicles, hunting, sports and recreational activities. We all have to target the areas where local needs and hazards dictate and require the most emphasis. Although we had a successful summer, our vigilance is required to keep our families and ourselves safe.
Speaking of safety, we all know the threat of storms like Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike is serious business. Thanks to everyone for the successful preparation for Hanna. We were fortunate that Hanna turned out to be less serious than it started. However, had it been a worse storm, we would have been ready. In typical Team Charleston fashion, we came together to protect the base, our aircraft and ourselves -- great effort!
In the Air Force, from time to time, we have to make difficult career decisions. For instance during a downsizing, some are compelled to decide whether to separate voluntarily or run the risk of being a reduction in force casualty. For 50 Team Charleston Airmen, such a decision is looming. Recently, the Air Force introduced the fiscal year 2009 NCO Retraining Program. NCORP will resolve a problem with several undermanned enlisted career fields. The program will increase these critically undermanned career fields by retraining Airmen from overmanned career fields. Airmen identified in the retraining advisory must decide to either volunteer for retraining into one of the critically undermanned Air Force specialty codes or risk involuntary retraining.
There is risk involved with any career decision, and risk clearly applies here. Without question, this is a major decision. I cannot stress enough -- if you are affected, please do not take this decision lightly. To wait and hope others will volunteer is risky and has consequences. If you wait, you risk losing the chance to select a career of your choosing. It could also mean involuntary retraining into a career field you may dislike. Many may feel NCORP is unfair or may not understand why this has to happen. However, maintaining a strong force structure is not just necessary, it is crucial. The Air Force must take the necessary steps to balance manning levels in our most critical specialties. Who knows, your new career may prove to be the best job you have ever had with opportunities you never imagined.
Next week, members of Team Charleston head to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, to compete in the 12th Annual Air Force marathon. This marathon began to commemorate the founding of the Air Force as a separate military service on September 18, 1947. This year, more than 9,000 runners are expected to compete in one of four events: full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and 10,000 and 5,000 meter runs. Join me in wishing them the best for a successful showing.
This month, my shadow was Senior Airman Brian Stolz from the 437th Maintenance Squadron. Airman Stolz and I had a great day together. He is an enthusiastic Airman with a bright future ahead of him.
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!