Section 9B - The Enlisted Force Structure Flashcards
What provides consistent, well defined expectations, standards and opportunities for growth for all Airmen in every specialty in command?
The enlisted force structure.
Why does the enlisted force need a common approach to career progression, professional development, and acquiring increased supervisory and leadership responsibilities?
Because it is a diverse corps of functionally and operationally specialized Airmen.
What does the enlisted force structure reflect?
The Air Force core values (Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do), which are the foundation of all Air Force policies, guidance and overall focus.
Why does the enlisted force need a common approach to career progression, professional development, and acquiring increased supervisory and leadership responsibilities?
Because it is a diverse corps of functionally and operationally specialized Airmen.
What provides consistent, well-defined expectations, standards and opportunities for growth for all Airmen in every speciality and command?
The enlisted force structure.
What does the enlisted force structure reflect?
The Air Force core values (Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do), which are the foundation of all Air Force policies, guidance and overall focus.
The enlisted force structure provides what three things?
1) a structure that best meets mission requirements; 2) a common stable career structure for all enlisted personnel; and 3) an opportunity for professional growth for all Airmen.
What five things does the enlisted force structure define?
1) Its three tiers; 2) the three levels of enlisted leadership and development; 3) the roles, responsibilities, expectations and official terms of address of each enlisted rank; 4) special SNCO positions; and 5) official duty titles for the enlisted force structure.
Each ___ in the enlisted force structure corresponds to higher training levels, education, technical competence, experience, leadership and managerial responsibilities.
Tier.
What are the three tiers of the enlisted force structure?
The 1) Junior Enlisted Airmen tier; 2) NCO tier; and 3) SNCO tier.
What ranks are included in the Junior Enlisted Airmen tier of the enlisted force structure?
AB, Amn, A1C and SrA.
What is the initial focus of those in the Junior Enlisted Airmen tier of the enlisted force structure?
Adapting to the military professions requirements, achieving technical proficiency and becoming productive service members.
Upon achieving what rank do Airmen begin to exercise limited supervision and leadership while preparing for increased responsibilities and expanding their technical skills?
SrA.
The ___ tier of the enlisted force structure includes SSgts and TSgts serving as first-line supervisors while becoming expert hands-on technicians.
NCO tier.
What are the three major responsibilities of NCOs?
1) Ensuring their team members work together; 2) developing their subordinates into the future’s NCOs; and 3) continuing to develop their own leadership skills.
Which tier of the enlisted force structure includes MSgts, SMSgts and CMSgts who are critical to the Air Force’s ability to project air power?
The SNCO tier.
What should be the primary focus for those in the SNCO tier of the enlisted force structure?
Accomplishing the mission by skillfully using and developing teams, as well as participating in the decision making process appropriately.
The three enlisted leadership and development levels apply to all members of the enlisted force. What are they?
1) Tactical; 2) operational; and 3) strategic.
The tactical level of the enlisted leadership and development normally applies to members in what ranks?
AB through TSgt.
What is the primary focus of the tactical level of enlisted leadership and development?
Accomplishing all assigned work as efficiently as possible using the personnel and resources available.
At what enlisted leadership and developmental level do SNCOs (typically working at the Numbered Air Force (NAF) level and below) transition from expert technicians and first-line supervisors to leaders with broader responsibilities?
The operational level.
What do SNCOs at the operational level of the enlisted leadership and development continue to develop?
The expertise, experience, and management and leadership skills to convert direction into mission accomplishment.
The majority of the enlisted force spends their entire careers at the ___ and ___ levels of the enlisted leadership and development, where their natural strengths of competencies, experience and day-to-day mission focus are required.
Tactical and operational levels.
CMSgts (and few other SNCOs assigned to higher HQ) serve in what positions that constitute the strategic level of enlisted leadership and development?
Key leadership positions at the DoD, Headquarters Air Force (HAF), MAJCOMs, Direct Reporting Units (DRU) and select agencies and HQ.
What abilities do SNCOs serving at the strategic level of enlisted leadership and development continue to develop?
Their knowledge of Air Force institutional management processes and challenges, ability to advise senior leaders, participation in top-level decision making processes, drafting policies, managing career fields and leading far-reaching programs.
What is the primary focus of the strategic level of enlisted leadership and development?
Strategic leadership and management of the force that satisfies current and future requirements.
Name four general junior enlisted Airmen responsibilities.
1) accepting and executing all duties, instructions, responsibilities and lawful orders in a timely, efficient manner; 2) being effective followers; 3) placing official duty requirements and responsibilities above their personal desires; and 4) issuing lawful orders if placed in charge of a work activity or other Airmen.
To attain and maintain the highest level of personal readiness and meet Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF) mission requirements, Airmen must be ready to accomplish the mission in what five ways?
1) Technically; 2) physically; 3) mentally; 4) spiritually; and 5) by meeting all redeployment requirements if postured to deploy.
How can junior enlisted Airmen be technically ready to accomplish the mission?
Have a skill level commensurate with their rank and maintain a high degree of proficiency in their specialty.
How can junior enlisted Airmen be physically ready to accomplish the mission?
Maintain good physical condition, meet Air Force fitness standards and participate in the Air Force Fitness Program.
How can junior enlisted Airmen be mentally ready to accomplish the mission?
Deal with issues that detract from mission focus, diminish motivation, erode positive attitudes and reduce the quality of their work. (Seek help if necessary.)
What kinds of issues can detract from mental readiness?
Quality of life, financial problems, sexual harassment, discrimination, stress, marital problems and substance abuse.
If a junior enlisted Airmen is having difficulty dealing with an issue that detracts from mental readiness, he or she can seek assistance from whom?
His or her supervisory chain, first sergeant, commander, chaplain or an appropriate referral agency. (Airmen are expected to take positive steps to resolve these issues responsibly.)
What ist he Air Force’s policy regarding discrimination and sexual harassment?
“Zero tolerance.”
To whom should junior enlisted Airmen immediately report anyone who may be exhibiting suicidal behavior?
Their supervisory chain, first sergeant or commander. (Fellow Airmen are extremely important in suicide prevention.)
How can junior enlisted Airmen be spiritually ready to accomplish the mission?
Develop the personal qualities needed to get through times of stress, hardship and tragedy.
Spiritual readiness always includes religious activities. (T/F)
Fales. (It may or may not include religious captivities.)
Junior enlisted Airmen should correct personnel who violate what military standards?
Professional behavior, military bearing, respect for authority and dress and appearance.
___ are primarily learners operating at the tactical level of enlisted leadership and development. They can perform basic tasks under close supervision at their first duty station.
ABs
Amn, operating at the ___ level of enlisted leadership and development, should understand and conform to military standards, customs and courtesies.
Tactical.
Although Amn remain focused on learning and require significant supervision and support, what should they begin to show?
Basic task proficiency.
What is required of an A1C?
He or she must master many skills while becoming an effective team member. (A1Cs must fully comply with Air Force standards.)
A1Cs operate at the tactical level of enlisted leadership and development and no longer require supervision to progress. (T/F)
False. (They required continued supervision.)
SrA establish themselves as effective first-line supervisors with whose guidance and assistance?
The NCOs above them.
When may SrA become reporting officials?
After completing ALS.
How are SrA commonly used?
As skilled technicians and trainers operating at the tactical level.
Name several general NCO responsibilities.
Any one of the following: 1) accept and execute all duties, instructions, responsibilities and lawful orders in a timely, efficient manner; 2) be effective leaders and followers; 3) maintain the highest level or readiness technically, physically, mentally and spiritually; 4) prepare themselves and their subordinates to meet all redeployment requirements; 5) accept the responsibility and accountability that comes with leadership; 6) support and explain leaders’ decisions; 7) stay involved with their personnel on a daily basis; 8) epitomize excellence and lead by example; 9) provide career counseling to subordinates; 10) promote a culture of flexible Airmen able to master many tasks; 11) secure and promote PME and professional enhancement for themselves and their subordinates; and 12) promote organizational esprit de corps and foster good community relations.
What is an NCO’s primary purpose?
To be a skilled technician in his or her assigned specialty and build, prepare and lead teams to accomplish the mission.
How should NCOs monitor and address their subordinates’ mental readiness?
By 1) helping them identify and resolve their personal, financial, marital, alcohol and stress related problems; 2) actively supporting the “zero-tolerance” policy for discrimination and sexual harassment; 3) watching for signs of suicidal behavior; 4) familiarizing themselves with the off-duty opportunities and living conditions of their subordinates; and 5) recognizing and rewarding individuals whose military conduct and duty performance exceed standards and holding subordinates who do not meet them accountable.
___ are often in the best position to detect early indications of personal, financial, marital, alcohol and stress related problems in their subordinates and are key to identifying, addressing and resolving them.
Supervisors. (They must stay involved and be supportive as their subordinates struggle to resolve these problems.)