NATIONALHARBOR, Md.(AFNS)—DepartmentoftheAir Forceleadersandtheir spousessharedadviceandresourceswithmilitaryfamiliesduringa Familiesinthe Fight panelatthe2022Air ForceAssociation’s Air, SpaceandCyber ConferenceSept.21.
PanelistsconsistedofAir ForceChiefof StaffGen.CQBrown, Jr.,andhiswifeSharene, ChiefofSpaceOperationsGen. John W. “Jay” Raymond,andhiswifeMollie, ChiefMaster Sgt. oftheAir Force JoAnne S. Bassandher husbandRahn,andChiefMasterSgt.ofthe Space ForceRoger A. Towberman,andhiswife, Rachel.
Lt. Gen.CarolineM.Miller, Air ForceManpower,PersonnelandServicesdeputy chiefof staff, moderatedthediscussionandengaged panelmembersoncommon challengesmilitary familiesexperience, including childcare, education, healthcare, housingandspouseemployment,and resources available to assistthem.
“We’ve walkedthesamepathmanyofyou
have, and ourgoalistomakeitbetterforthose whofollowandcomebehindus,” Brownsaid.
“We wanttobreakdownasmanybarriersas wecantomakeservinginourAir Forceor Space Forceenjoyable.”
Whenaskedabouteffortstomitigatethe impactofinflationandanationwidehousing crisisonAir Forcefamilies, Brownhighlighted actionsunderwaytoincreasepay, allowances andentitlements. Healsoacknowledgedthe needforasystemfordeterminingBasicAllowanceforHousingratesthatarebothresponsivetothemarketandstableenoughthatmilitaryfamiliescanplan.
ShareneBrownaddedthat,whilepolicies andprogramsarebeingadjustedattheheadquarterslevel, therearealsoresourcesatthe locallevelto supportmilitary families.
“Whatwedon’trecognizeisoftentimesthere areprogramsalreadyinplaceattheMilitary FamilyandReadinesscentersthatcanhelpus overcomesomeofthese challenges,” shesaid, encouragingAirmenandspousestoengage their KeySpousestoconnectwithindividuals and resources.
Someofthelocalresourcesformilitary familieshighlightedduringthepanelinclude:
u Kinderspots: amobileappdesignedto centralizeandstreamlinethesublettingof short-termslotsatmilitary childdevelopment centers.
u JointServiceSchoolLiaisonProgram: educationspecialists that assistwithlocalschool navigation,deploymentsupport,scholarship andgrantresourcesandmore.
u In-HomeChildCare FeeAssistancePilot Program:Anewpilotprogram that willrunfor fiveyearsandcoverfull-timecareforaminimumof30hourstoamaximumof60 hoursof childcareweekly.
RahnBassalsomentionedleveragingtheir localMilitary FamilyandReadiness center whilehiswife wasdeployed.Thecouple was raisingtwoyoungdaughtersinMississippi duringthis period.
“If you havekids, deployments notonly impactyourspouse, butyour children,too,” Rahn Basssaid.
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ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—Lastyear, anindependentreviewcommission ordered bySecretaryofDefenseLloyd J. AustinIIIputforthan arrayofrecommendationsdesignedtostopsexual assaultandharassmentin themilitary Today, theDefenseDepartmentiswellunderway inimplementingthoserecommendations, saidtheundersecretaryof defenseforpersonnelandreadiness.
OnCapitolHill Wednesday, Gilbert R.CisnerosJr. toldlawmakers attheHouseArmedServicesCommitteethattheDefenseDepartment nowhasaframeworkinplacetotracktheimplemen-tationand effectivenessofitseffortsandtoprovideregularprog-ressreviews throughseniorleadershipforumsthatincludesmembershipfromacross theOfficeoftheSecretaryofDefenseandthe services.
“Thelevelofoversightisasignificantdeparturefrompreviousreformseffortsinthisarea, and notonlyarewemakingprogress, we’re buildingtheinfrastructureneededtomakereal,lasting changeand rebuildtrustwithour servicemembers,” Cisneros said.
One part ofthatinfrastructure, Cisnerossaid, isthedevelopmentof aprofessionalsexualassaultand sexualharassment workforce.
“Atfulloperatingcapacity[it]willinclude over 2,000personnelsta-
tionedaroundtheworld,” hesaid.“Thedepartment hasworkedtocreateatargetedrecruitmentplantosupporttheservicesintheirhiring efforts, andIestablishedadedicateddirecthiringauthority, which I signedoutlastweek,tomorequicklyidentifyandonboardthesepreventionworkforceprofessionals.”
Co-chairinganensuingpanel,“theUnderSecretaryoftheAir Force GinaOrtiz JonestestifiedontheDepartmentoftheAir Force’sefforts toensure AirmenandGuardiansliveandworkinanenvironmentsafe fromsexualharassmentandsexual assault.”
“Tosuccessfullyfulfillourmissiontoprotectanddefendournation, addressingsexualharassmentandsexual assaultmustbeatoppriority,” Jonessaid. “Thisisa warfightingissue, areadinessissueand a leadershipissue.”
TheDoDisalsoworkingwiththemilitaryservicestoprofessionalize thevictimresponseworkforce, Cisnerossaid Professionalizationofthat taskmeanstheDefenseDepartmentandserviceswouldnolongerneed torelyonmilitarymemberswhomaybedoingthatsameworknowas acollateraldutyinadditiontotheirregularmilitaryjob. Additionally, aspartofanefforttoregainthetrustofvictimsofsexualassaultand harassment,thatworkforcewillbeoutsidethe chainofcommand.
Cisnerosalsotoldlawmakersthedepartmentwouldsoonreach ini-
SeeSEXUALASSAULT, Page17
AirMobilityCommand
SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.—Inanefforttobettersupportglobal requirementsandachievefull-spectrumreadinessobjectivesintheface ofincreasinglycontestedenvironmentsanddomains, AMChastaken importantstepstoprepareitsAirmenforthefirstmajormilestonesin implementingthecommand’snewforcegenerationandpresentation strategy, MobilityAir Forces ForceGeneration(MAFFORGEN).
InApril,missiongenerationpersonnelwhoseunitswillbefirsttoenterthe AvailablePhaseofMAFFORGENthisfall,hadtheopportunityto hearfromHQAMC/A3andA4leadershipandFunctionalAreaManagers atthefirst “A-Phase Workshop”heldnearScottAFB, Illinois. Attendees includedAirmenandciviliansfromOperations, Maintenance, andContingencyResponsesquadronsacrossthecommand.
AMChasrecentlybegunitstransitiontoMAFFORGENinaccordance withthedirectionfromHeadquartersAir ForcetoalignwiththeAir Force ForceGeneration(MAFFORGEN)model.UnderMAFFORGEN, forceelementsareassignedtovarious phasesofreadinessthroughout
FORTLEE, Va.—Servicemembersandtheirfamilieswillsoonsee a3-5percentdecreaseinpricingonmostgroceryitemsintheircommissariesaspartofaDepartmentofDefense(DOD)initiativetobolstertheeconomicsecurityandstabilityofthemilitarycommunity.
DOD’s “TakingCare ofServiceMembersand Families”initiative laysoutcomprehensiveactionstosupportmilitarymembersstrugglingwiththefinancialimpactsofinflation,supply chaindisruptions andthepandemic.
“TheDepartment’saddedinvestmentinourbudgetallowsusto reducecommissarypricesattheregisterabout3-5percentonmost items–particularlyonfoodstaplesthatstrugglingmilitaryfamilies needmostsuchasbread,eggs, milkandmore,” saidBillMoore, directorandCEOoftheDefenseCommissaryAgency(DeCA).“Withthis boostwecanachieveatleast25percentinoverallsavingsforeligible patronswhoshoptheircommissaries.”
Commissarycustomersareexpectedtoseeprice changesatmost locationsbymid-October. Pricingonsomeproductsandcategoriesof itemswillvary.
Beforetheadditionalfunding, DeCA wasabletoprovideservice membersandtheirfamilieswithdiscountedgroceriesthatcoston average22percentlessthanciviliangrocerystoresforfiscalyear2022.
“GoingforwardwiththeDepartment’sinitiatives, we wanttosustaintheincreasedsavingsthroughfiscalyear2023andexceedthe25 percentbenchmarktotheextentourresourcesallow,” Mooresaid.
“Inadditiontothesavings, weprovidehealthyfoodoptions, clean and safestores, convenienceandpremiercustomerserviceforour servicemembersandtheirfamilies,” Mooresaid.“Commissariesare therewhenourmilitaryfamiliesneedthemmost,evenindisastersor pandemicsorperiodsofinflation. We’reaninsurancepolicytoensure foodsecurityforourmilitaryfamilies Withallthatvalueandnow additionalsavings, ourpatronswouldbeverysmarttoshoptheircommissaries!”
“TakingCareofServiceMembersand Families”alignswithDOD’s overallcampaignforeconomicsecurity, firstannouncedNovember 2021whentheDepartmentunveiledits“MilitaryLeader’sEconomic Security Toolkit”onMilitaryOneSource Thewebpageisacentral landingspottohelpleadersconnectservicemembersandtheirfami-
byStaff Sgt.Alexis Suarez 927thAirRefuelingWing
Morethan25Airmenacrossthe6thAir Refueling Wingandthe927thAirRefueling Wingattendedawomen’sleadershipinitiative chief’s panelhostedbyfour command chiefmastersergeantsstationedatMacDill Air ForceBase, Sept. 16, attheBay PalmsGolf Courserestaurant.
PanelmembersincludedChiefMaster Sgt. Shae D. Gee, 6thARWcommand chief, Chief MasterSgt. KellyKruger, 927thARWcommand chief, ChiefMasterSgt.Erin Willis, 927thMaintenanceGroupsuperintendentand Chief MasterSgt.Catrell Wilson,6thOperationsGroupsuperintendent.
Thepanelistshighlightedtheimportanceof mentoringwomenatall levelsoftheircareers andtheimportanceofseekingguidance, topicssuchas pillarmanagement,setbacks, family, competitiveandflexiblecareermoves, and mentalhealthwerediscussed.
“I wasworkingallday, thenwouldgohome andcontinuetowork, I wasn’ttakingcare of myself,” saidKruger “Self-awarenessisnumberone. Youhavetobe awareofwhoyouare, whatyourvaluesare, whatyoubelieve, and I lostmyselfoverthoseyearswhichmadesome relationshipsinmylifesufferandasa chief you’rebuilding relationships.”
Fromleft,ChiefMasterSgt.ShaeD.Gee,6thAirRefuelingWingcommandchief,ChiefMaster Sgt.ErinWillis,927thMaintenanceGroupsuperintendent,ChiefMasterSgt.KellyKruger,927th ARWcommandchief,andChiefMasterSgt.CatrellWilson,6thOperationsGroupsuperintendent,werethepanelistsforthewomen’sleadershippanelheldatBayPalmsGolfCourse restaurant,MacDillAirForceBaseonSept.16. Topicsdiscussedincludedtheimportanceofseeking guidance,pillarmanagement,setbacks,family,competitiveandflexiblecareermoves,andmentalhealth.
U.S.AirForceExpeditionary CenterPublicAffairs
U.S.AirForceExpeditionaryCenterPublicAffairs
JOINTBASEMcGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST,N.J.—Maj.Gen. JohnKlein,commander ofthe U.S. Air ForceExpeditionaryCenter, publishedanewstrategydefiningaroadmapfor theenterpriseonhow andwhyAirmenmust prepareforthe‘nextbigfight.’
Insupportofthecenter’shigherheadquarters, withparticularfocusonAirMobilityCommand’srecentlyreleasedcommandstrategy andtheanticipatedMobilityManifesto, Kleinis accelerating changebyfocusingeffortsonorganizing, trainingandequippingAirmenforexpeditionary warfare.
“Overtime, we’veshiftedourfocus away from what warfaremaylooklikewithadirectcompetitor,” saidKlein.“Thisnewstrategyisin-
tendedtorealignourfocustoapeerthatmay conduct warfareonalevelsimilartoourown.”
ThecentralthemethroughoutKlein’sguidingdocumentisvictorydeliveredbyAirmen. As such,Kleinhas chargedhiscommanderstoinvestnowintheAirmenthatdelivertheflexible, strategicoptionsournationneedstoleadfrom apositionofstrength.
TheExpeditionaryCenterhasauniqueset offunctionsthatitfulfills. We havetwoAirMobilityOperation Wingsthatallowustoproject thejointforceglobally;theUSAF’s onlyContingencyResponse Wingthathelpusrespond toemergingsituationsatamoment’snotice, as wellasfortifyourrelationshipswithpartners andalliesthroughouradvisors;our JointBasesthatallowustoprojectforcesandintegrate seamlesslywithoursisterservices;andourExpeditionaryOperationsSchoolwhichhelpsus
trainandeducatetheentireAir Forceforexpeditionary warfare.
“Withthecombinationofthesecapabilities, I havenodoubtwewillfortifythe warriormindsetwithinourAirmenandempowerthemtoaccomplishanythingnecessarytowinthenextbig fight,” saidKlein.
Withtherelease of thisstrategy, Kleinhas initiatedaone-yearshot clockthatwillseeto severalkeyenhancementstotheUSAFEC, mirroringthatofAirMobilityCommand.
“Next-Generationtacticswillbeappliedto ourContingencyResponseandAirMobility Wingsalongwithoptimizing JointBasestructuresandevolvingourexpeditionarytraining tosupportthejointforce, Air Force ForceGeneration,andadvancecapabilitiesneededtowin high-endpeerconflict,” Kleinsaid.
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Byinitiatingthetasks withinthenewUSAFEC Strategy, Kleinisensuring the14,000Airmenwithin theenterprisearecommittedtodevelopingandmaintaininga warriormindset thatis orientedtowardthe pacing threatof ourpeer competition. Witha clear visionofwheretheenterpriseisgoing, alongwith properorganizing, training and equipping, Klein’s goal isto makesuretheUnited StatesAir Forcedoesnot fail.
“Withthisstrategy, Iam empoweringthemenand womenofthe UnitedStates Air ForceExpeditionary Centertotake charge, engageandwininahigh-end fight,” Kleinsaid.
Tech.Sgt.Spencer Villanueva, an 821st Contingency ResponseSquadronflight sergeant, tests out his radio equipmentduring TurboDistribution 22-2 at Fort Campbell,Kentucky,July13,2022. Turbo Distribution is a joint taskforce-portopeningexercise designed to train U.S. AirForceandArmypersonnel on how to rapidly respond to humanitarianaidanddisaster responsemissions.
thetwo-year deploymentcycle:Reset, Prepare, Readyand Available. As thesuspenseforreachingMAFFORGENInitialOperatingCapability(IOC)approachesattheendofSeptember 2022,itiscriticalthatforceelementsassigned tothe AvailablephaseonOct.1,2022,understandfoundationalMAFFORGENconcepts, the impactthetransitionwillhaveontheforce, and whatisexpectedofan “Available”forceelement.
“TheA-Phase Workshopservedmultiple purposes,” saidLt. ColMichael Lynch,DeputyChiefofAirMobilityCommandOperations ManagementDivision.“Ourprimarygoal was toprepareAirmenandtheirleadershipwithinformationtheyneedtosuccessfullytransition theirforceelementstothe AvailablePhasethis fall.” Workshoptopicsincludedanin-depthexplanationofMAFFORGEN, collaborativesessions toidentify potential challenges, discussiononpersonnelandequipmentrequirements uniquetoeachforceelementandrecommended nextstepsforeachforce elementaheadofthe IOCsuspense.
“It wasequallyimportantthatwereceived directfeedbackfromparticipantsaboutanticipated challengesandroadblocks, andthatwe had open discussion to address tough ques tions.” Lynchnoted,“Wecouldhavespentboth daysjustbrainstormingpotential challenges, butattendeesshowedupreadytodiveintothe toughissuesand talkthrough solutionsthat willpostureusforsuccess.”
Participants’inputsdrovediscussionandwill informfutureguidanceontopicssuchashow toprioritizecompetingtaskings, balancedeploy to dwellrequirements, establishcertification eventrequirements, andmanyotheritemsof interest.
“Thankstocandid discussionandcollaboration,wemadesignificantprogressduringthe workshopand areon tracktosuccessfullyreach IOC,” said Lynch.
Asaresultoftheworkshop, informational resourcesandguidance, includingacomplete Question&Answerdocument,are availableto allAirmenviathe CAC-enabledMAFFORGEN SharePointsite. AMC willalsoprovide additionalopportunitiesforAirmentolearnmore aboutMAFFORGEN, providefeedbackandask questionsintheweeksleadinguptoIOCand
Col Jeff Menasco, DeputyDirectorof Operations, HeadquartersAirMobilityCommand,provides opening remarksat theMobilityAirForcesForceGeneration(MAFFORGEN) AvailablePhase WorkshoponApril19.Theworkshopbeganwith anexplanationof thestrategiccontextsurroundingtheimplementationofMAFFORGENanditspotential topositivelyimpactoursuccess ina futurehigh-endfight.
cusschallengespertainingtomaintenancepersonneland
MAF-
beyond.
TheMAFFORGENA-Phaseworkshopisthe firstofseveralinitiativestosupportAirmenin thecommand’stransitiontothenewmodel.By Fiscal2025,allAMCforceelementsareexpectedtoreachFullOperatingCapabilityandhave
completedafullcyclethroughallfourphases of MAFFORGEN, settingthestagefor AMC tocontinueprojecting, connecting, maneuveringandsustainingthe Joint Forcethroughthe challengesofapotentialhigh-endfightinthe future.
Duringthehourlunchpanelist sharedtheirexperiencewiththeAir Forceandpersonallifewhendiving intothetopicstoshowcasehowwomen arebreakingbarriersand challengesto breakglassceilings.
“Ineverunderstoodthedynamic ofbalancingfamilytimeversuswork time,” saidGee. “Westruggledtofigure outlifeafterkids, myhusbandonhis ownwhileI was away butwefigured itout,workstayedatworkandfamily time wasfamily time.”
Attheendofthepanel,manywomen acrosstheroomsharedtheirloveforthe growthand changesintheAir Force. Themilitaryisprovidingresourcesto build strong womenandplacethem inleadershiproles togrowastrongerfoundationforcurrentandfuture womeninthemilitary Whenwework together asafamily, wegrowstronger together.
RahnBass, whopreviouslyservedas afirstsergeantinthe U.S. Army, wasactivelyengagedwithschoolliaisonofficersandamilitarylife counselorwhilehisdaughterswereattendingschool.
“Ialwaysusedtosharewithmyownservicemembersaboutresources likethis. Buttohavesomeoneactuallypresentformeandsupport myfamilywhilemywife wasdeployed washugeforus,” RahnBass added.
MollieRaymondreaffirmedthatunderstandingwhatresourcesare availableateverylocationwherefamiliesare stationed and building a network ofsupportiscrucialtoresiliency.
“OneofthecorevaluesfortheSpace Forceisconnection,” shesaid. “It’s so important toconnectwhereyouare, withyourunits, Guardians, andfellowAirmen. We haveanopportunity tobuildandcultivatefamilyculture It’s anopportunityofalifetime.”
To helpcombatthefinancialstrainofthecurrenteconomicdownturn on Space Forcefamilies, Gen. Raymond discussedtheprogressbeing madetohiremilitaryspousesintocivilian positionsas theservicecontinues togrow.
“Aswe’rebuilding theservice, we’re hiringalotofcivilians,” he said. “So, we’vebeendoingalotofworkontryingtoconnectfamilymembers tothosejobssotheycanstayconnected.”
tialoperatingcapabilitywithitsSexualAssaultPreventionandResponseTraining and EducationCenterofExcellence.
“Anothersignificant undertakingatthe[Defense]Departmentismilitaryjusticereform, throughtheimplementationoftheOfficesofSpecialTrial Counsel,” Cisnerossaid.“Thiseffortwillensureindependent expertiseandprosecutorial decisionsandisessentialtotherestoringof trust and toholdperpetratorsofsexualassaultaccountable.”
According toCisneros, theOfficesofSpecial Trial Counselwillen-
Gen.RaymondalsosharedthattheSpace Forceispartnering with “HiringOurHeroes” toprovidespouseswithtrainingandcertificate programstoincreasetheservicetalentpoolandinstillgreaterconfidence in newlyhiredspouses.
Inadditiontodiscussingresources availabletoassistmilitaryfamilies, panelistssharedtheirpersonalexperiencesofsupportingone anotherasmilitarymembersandspousesduringperiodsof change throughout their lives andcareers.
Havingbecomethefirstfemale to holdthe highestseniorenlisted rankinany U.S. militarybranch, ChiefBassrecognizedtheuniqueness ofher husband’s role, whichhashistorically beenheldbyfemales.
“Heishelping to redefineandnormalizewhattoday’smodernmilitaryfamilylookslike, whichisverydifferent thanit wasinthesixties orseventies,” RahnBasssaid.“Thisis normalizingit,andsoforour home, we’rehelpingtoredefinewhatnormal is.”
Asthepanelconcluded, theleadersshared closingremarksand voicedcommitment to continued supportfor militaryfamilies.
“You’vehearditfromtheCSOandfromtheChiefofStaff oftheAir Force,” Towbermansaid. “Wecan’t wantmoreforyour familiesthanyou want. You’vegottoholdusaccountable. You’vegottoknowthatthey are important.”
sure independent,specializedexpertiseinprosecutorialdecisionsfor thecoveredoffensesofsexualassault,domesticviolenceandrelated crimes.
“Thedepartmenthas clearlyheardfromourservicemembersthat actionand changearedesperately needed,andthedepartmentisansweringthatcall,” Cisnerossaid. “Gettingthisrightrequireswemove as expeditiouslyaspossibletoimplement change, whilealsoensuring wedo notrushtofailure.”
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lieswithresourcestheyneedtohelpboosttheireconomicreadiness.
ThecommissarybenefitportionoftheeconomictoolkitisspotlightedontheDeCAwebsite, specificallyonits“We’reStronger Together” pagethatlinksmilitarymemberstothefollowingpatronsavingsand nutritiousoptions:
Timelysalespromotionsaswellasspecificitemshighlightedinthe biweeklysalesflyer
Privatelabelbrandsand YourEverydaySavings!(YES!)programs thatofferbetterpricesonpopular, coreitems
Healthyoptionswithdietitian-approvedrecipes, meal plansand quick,ready-to-eat,economicalmealoptionsviathedeliand174dietitian-approvedfuelingstations
DeCAisalsoensuringalleligiblepatronsknowabouttheirbenefit, particularlytargetingthemillionsofdisabledveterans(DAV)who becameeligibleforthebenefitin January2020, saidMarineSgt.Maj. MichaelSaucedo, seniorenlistedadvisortotheDeCAdirector.
“Weareworking closelywithveterans’groupstoreachourDAVs andwiththeactivedutymilitarytoincrease awarenessofthebenefit totroopsearlierintheircareers,” hesaid. “Andaswespreadtheword onthismuch-neededbenefittoalloureligiblecustomers, wearestrivingtoanticipateourpatrons’needs, offerpremiercustomerservice anddowhatittakestobetheirgroceryproviderof choice.”
Commissariesarealsopushingoutmoreinitiativestoincludethe followingtohelpboostthebenefitforeligiblepatrons:
Expandinghoursofoperationandusingtechnologytoimproveaccessinmoreconvenient waysthaneverbefore. To date, 56storeshave convertedfromsix-toseven-dayoperations, sevenstoreshaveconvertedfromfive-tosix-dayoperationsand43storeshaveadjusted hourstobetterfittheshoppingpreferencesoftheircommunities.
Workingwithinstallationsonpilotingbulkdeliveriestobarracksor otherspecifiedlocationswithfutureplanstoexpand
Expandingonlineshoppingandcurbsidepickupwithonlinepaymentnow availableatallstores
PilotinghomegrocerydeliveryateightCONUSlocations, with agency-wideexpansionplannedsoonthereafter
“Thecommissarysystem’scommitmenttosavingmilitarycommunitiesmoneyhasnot waveredforover30years,” Mooresaid.“Weremain steadfastinoureffortstoimprovethequalityoflifeofoureligiblepatronsbysavingthematleastaquarteroneverydollartheyspendon groceriescomparedto‘outsidethegate’grocerystores. That’s$50back inyourpocketona$200grocerybill!
“Weareafoodsecurityresourceforourcustomers, andassuch,we aredoingeverythingwecantogetourpreciousmilitaryfamiliesthe productstheyneed–atthelowestpricepossible,” headded.
