AFSO21 class improves today's Airmen for better tomorrow

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Team Mildenhall members came together for an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century class Sept. 18 to 26, 2014. The course is taught at a number of Air Force installations, but the training format is unique to RAF Mildenhall. Rather than using a simulated problem as many courses do, attendees brainstorm challenges that currently affect the mission and the Airmen vital to it.

"This is a week-long class training people to do what I do," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Eidson, 100th Air Refueling Wing Continuous Process Improvement Office superintendent from Odessa, Texas. "In my line of work, we use team building and group facilitation techniques to lead a panel of experts through the problem solving process."

Founded on the U.S. Air Force's 8-Step Problem Solving Model, the class is designed to introduce students to continuous-process improvement techniques and prepare them to facilitate problem-solving teams in their work center.

"We go through several tools during the week and apply them to problems of their choice that they see happening right now on base, problems that affect the mission," Eidson explained. "This format draws a direct link between theory learned in the classroom and application in the real world."

A group of 18 people attended the class from the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 100th Operations Support Squadron and 100th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Topics chosen for discussion were the government travel card, sponsorship program and enlisted performance reports.

Attendees discussed the problems with each topic and possible solutions to rectify the issues.

"We use the 8-Step model as a kind of road map," explained Eidson. "As the teams progress through the class they learn about different facilitation tools that they can use at each of the 8-steps. Then, they apply those tools to the problems they have selected, and ultimately develop countermeasures for their respective problems."

The discussions will have an effect on the future of the base and its population.

"While the problems are real, the exercises that we work through are to demonstrate the fundamental principles of AFSO21. As such, we don't actually solve the problem in class. However, using real problems has its advantages though," added Eidson. "I'd say that most of the time the teams develop an 80 percent solution just by working through the problem, gathering data and thinking critically. In many cases, we see improvement initiatives sparked because the problem was brought to light in class."

Eidson said they wanted to allow more people to attend but decided to keep the group sizes small to ensure attendees get the most out of the discussion-based class.

"Right now, we are running one every other month," Eidson said. "We started off pretty strong, but we were finding we weren't able to certify as many people that we were teaching, so we've pulled the throttles back on that so that we can make sure that once people get finished with the course we have enough opportunities for them to get certified."

The certification is an important part of the class.

"The class is just the first step in getting an AFSO21 green belt certification, but once you finish the process, you are awarded green belt certification from your respective major command. When you have the certificate you can request a special experience identifier through your local military personnel flight," the Texas native explained. "Your certification never expires, and you will not have to recertify.  In the civilian sector, this type of certification really expands your resume and increases your earnings potential. Many people will pay $800 to $2000 for a green belt certification."

This certification of service members has an effect on the base.

"I'd say it's been pretty positive! Right now there are only four personnel that are certified AFSO21 practitioners, and we've seen significant improvement in processes all over the base. We're all about increasing combat capability and executing the mission more efficiently. The certification helps, but it takes more than post-it notes, brown paper and certified facilitators," said the superintendent. "It takes a culture of Airmen that are empowered to innovate. I believe we are all very fortunate to work in just such a culture."

Leadership also hopes this new culture of innovation will add to the effectiveness of the installation and its people.

"Right now we're sometimes not the most efficient ... but we are the most effective fighting force the world has ever known!" exclaimed Maj. Michael Boswell, 100th LRS commander. "We hope classes like this will ensure future Airmen will be both efficient and effective."