Top focus areas for the CMSAF: Air Force Developmental Special Duty Published April 28, 2015 By Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Holton 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- In October 2013, the Air Force transformed the special duties process. Previously, it only included a few select duties and the process relied primarily on volunteers though the Assignment Management System Equal Plus. The Enlisted Force Policy Branch was tasked to create a working group to examine all special duties that affect enlisted development, and the way members are selected and allocated. After an extensive review, the group designated 10 special and unique prefix duties as enlisted developmental special duties that required a deliberate selection process to mold future enlisted leaders. These additional duties provide a unique experience for Airmen. Locally, it allows Air Commandos to gain valuable skills and experience that may have an impact on the future of their careers. “Selected personnel have a vital impact on the future of our enlisted force,” said Senior Master Sgt. Gonzalo Rubio Jr., 33d Special Operations Squadron superintendent. “Success of this program relies on commanders’ nomination of their top performers and remembering the needs of the Air Force come first. This is not only a win for our new Airmen, but also for those selected to fill these critical developmental leadership positions. It provides an opportunity for our enlisted members to hone their leadership skills and broaden their Air Force experiences.” This review provides a dynamic reflection of today’s enlisted force for these special duty assignments; for example, instituting minimum female representation requirements for developmental special duty positions in basic military training and technical schools. This review created a selection process that better supports the development of our enlisted force and ensures the most qualified personnel are screened and filled to maintain manning levels in critical positions. "We have been looking at the development of each of you from training, education and experience perspectives,” Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody recently detailed in an e-mail to all Airmen. “The focus of this specific effort looked at ensuring we have the right enlisted Airmen in the right special duties, both inside and outside their primary career fields." In a time of limited voluntary resources, this major shift ensures critical jobs remain filled with the best Airmen the Air Force has in its ranks. The 10 developmental special duties developed by the working group are as follows: - Career Assistance Advisor - Military Training Instructor - Military Training Leader - U.S. Air Force Academy Military Training NCO - Airman & Family Readiness Center NCO - First Sergeant - USAF Honor Guard NCO - Enlisted Accessions Recruiter - Professional Military Education Instructor - Air Force specialty training instructors identified with a "T" prefix To be considered for one of these 10 special duties, Airmen must be vetted through an extensive approval process with systematic placement. The program targets personnel in the ranks of master sergeant, technical sergeant and staff sergeant. “This process is not intended to be just a new way to volunteer,” Cody said in his monthly address to Airmen. “Airmen can certainly volunteer by letting their leadership know they have interest in those developmental special duties, but that is not the prerequisite for selection or for nomination. The real process here is we want leadership to look at their Airmen, against these developmental special duty positions, and say who they feel from the staff, tech and master sergeant ranks would be best suited to perform that duty, and then nominate those Airmen.” Air Staff oversees the process and directs required bi-annual quotas for assignments. Quotas are established by reviewing the projected manning strengths for master, technical and staff sergeants and requirements for each developmental special duty. Major commands nominate their quota requirements. Commanders are given 30 days to review all eligible members’ records, engage with the member and make their nominations for duties the member would excel in that would benefit the Air Force. Nomination does not guarantee the member’s selection or consideration for future nominations. Nominees that are selected will be given 45 days to accept the special duty. Those who decline the special duty assignment will face the same repercussions of those declining an operationally selected assignment; this includes ineligibility for future permanent change of stations, promotions or re-enlistments. Personnel vetted for consideration must have demonstrated exemplary performance in their primary duties and exceptional leadership. "Nomination for a developmental duty assignment is the commander's vote of confidence in an Airman - a statement of belief in a particular Airman's character, skill and integrity," said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Nichols, Air Force enlisted force policy branch chief, who oversaw the working group. With the pending visit of Cody to Cannon next month, Air Commandos will have the opportunity to hear from the Air Force’s top enlisted leader. This will give members of the Cannon community a better idea of the stage that is being set before them and what it will take to ensure a thriving enlisted career. “We provide combat ready forces here at our 27th Special Operations Wing, and no one can dispute that,” said Rubio. “However, it is also important to have an intimate understanding of how our enlisted careers are governed and align ourselves to ensure we are at the forefront of our commanders’ shortlist for selection.”