100th FSS CPO wins USAFE-AFAFRICA award

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Local national employees provide continuity for employees stationed overseas. They are able to provide local knowledge and information to new members on the base. They can also provide information on what has worked in the past, and what needs to be updated. This continuity, added to the fresh approach of employees coming in every few years, provides a good mix of knowledge, experience and new ideas to improve existing policies.

The 100th Force Support Squadron Civilian Personnel Office members assist U.S. Civil Service and Local National Direct Hire employees and ensure they carry out their duties in accordance with Air Force policy and U.K. employment law.
The office recently won the USAFE-AFAFRICA Civilian Personnel Office of the Year award for 2014 and is very proud of their achievements.

One member of the CPO is Patricia Hall, 100th FSS CPO advisor to the civilian personnel officer. Hall has worked in the CPO for more than 40 years, and during this time she has been awarded a Medal of Distinction, two Meritorious Civilian Service certificates, and numerous certificates and plaques for her outstanding performance.

During her employment in the CPO, Hall has worked in all areas including employee management relations, overseas allowances, classification, chief of self-evaluation, and on many occasions has been assigned the role of 'acting CPO' during the absence of the officer in charge.

In the past, she was responsible for filling all positions for Department of Defense Dependents Schools located at Edzell in Scotland, Menwith Hill Station, and RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell teacher positions, combined with 1,400 U.S. and non U.S. Non-Appropriated Fund positions for RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall. Hall has also worked with positions located at Stavanger, Norway, and RAF Sculthorpe. Most recently she has been working on the Ministry of Defence transfer to LNDH.

Hall's service for the U.S. Government spans more than 48 years, with eight years in contracting. 

Hall said she is very proud that the CPO at RAF Mildenhall won 'The Best CPO in the Air Force 2013' and earlier this year learned RAF Mildenhall's CPO had been voted the best in Europe, with an opportunity to compete for the Air Force-level once again.

Like any work center, Hall relies on the team to ensure the office works efficiently.

"We provide advice and assistance to commanders and managers on civilian personnel management. We ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements under the Air Force regional environment," said Michele Hortenstine, 100th FSS CPO U.K. liaison officer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, who has worked within the DoD agencies for nearly 13 years. "In my job, I liaise between the headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and MoD Air Command -- setting up meetings, and overseeing the pension schemes, policies and wage reviews."

Moving to a new country and job can be unnerving even for experienced travelers, and Richard Ribardo, 100th FSS CPO Human Resources specialist from Lakenheath, Suffolk, is on hand to help.

"I'm responsible for ensuring all the U.S. folks who first get here are reimbursed for any hotel and meal expenses they incur. When they do find a house, I make sure they have enough money in their account to pay the rent and utilities," Ribardo added. "It's enjoyable helping people when they first come to a brand new country where they know absolutely no one and they don't know the local area. We're there to support them for that initial three-to-four month period. We get them settled in their house with their household goods, as coming overseas can be a daunting experience, and we try to make (it) a little bit easier where we can."

Like many of the office employees, Ribardo's many years of experience helps to ensure continuity, and he enjoys the variety in his work.

"I love my job; I've been here 20 years and have seen a lot of changes," he reflected.

One area of his work, vital to civilian members and their families is passports.

"I'm also responsible for civilian travel, PCS and free trips home where applicable. With passports we have to identify people who work for us so they can receive certain tax exemptions. For example, if a civilian goes to buy a tax-free vehicle, they must take their passport containing the stamp that we've issued," Ribardo explained. "We help every DoD employee in England. Any American civilian associated with the DoD has to come through our office for SOFA issuance purposes."

The CPO won this, and many other awards through the hard work and dedication of its staff members.

For more information, contact the CPO at DSN 238-3540 or commercial at 01638 543540.