MacDill Thunderbolt 10/21/21

Vol. 49, No. 42

Thursday, October 21, 2021

News/Features: page 3

New evaluation system

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

News/Features: page 9 U.S. Trans Comm COC

New U.S. TRANSCOM commander - page 8 Photo by Tara Stetler

Community: page 15 Events, Chapel, more...

Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons passes the command guidon to Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost as she takes over as new commander of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Oct. 15. The passing of a guidon serves as a visual to symbolize a change in command. Van Ovost is the first female commander of USTRANSCOM; she takes over for Lyons, the first Army commander.

NEWS/FEATURES

Kendall stresses necessity of culture, language skills for building partner alliances in strategic competition

by Lori Quiller Air Force Culture and Language Center Outreach Team MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS)—Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall addressed attendees virtually during the Air Force Culture and Language Center and Air University’s sixth annual Language, Regional Expertise and Culture Symposium, Oct. 13, thanking Air and Space professionals for continuing to hone their culture and language skills in the pursuit of building alliances and partner capacity in defense of our nation.

“I want to emphasize the important role language training and cultural understanding play in today’s global operations,” Kendall said in his keynote address. “Language is a warfighting capability. Our language-enabled Airmen and Guardians operate in foreign countries around the world, and their ability to communicate in a foreign language and understand cultural nuances are critical to their success.”

Kendall was quick to pinpoint the strategic threat China brings to the table due in large part to a “significant risk of misinterpretation and missed signals.” China has been a frequent topic of discussion for the 26th Air Force secretary, and he wasted no time bringing the subject to the symposium attendees.

“Collectively, we Americans lack an adequate understanding of Chi-

nese culture,” he explained. “We run a significant risk of misinterpretation and missed signals when we project our own perspectives upon Chinese actions and communications. The work Air University and the Air Force Culture and Language Center do is crucial to developing cultural understanding. In every sense, the training our Airmen and Guardians receive is indispensable for preparing them to join their colleagues on the frontlines of global strategic competition.”

Kendall further emphasized that Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Airmen and Guardians will continue to be instrumental in building strategic alliances for the U.S., all resting on a foundation on language, regional expertise and culture skills.

“Our success in the Indo-Pacific hinges upon our allies and partners in the region … Developing these skills empowers our Airmen, Guardians and allied forces to operate effectively in the complex, interdependent international security environment,” he said. “I think it’s also important to note that the commonalities between language-enabled Airmen and Guardians and the department’s diversity inclusion efforts are very much aligned.

“The LREC skills we value bring women and men from diverse ethnic and academic backgrounds into our department. Diversity in cultural background, gender and professional experience is needed for our future success.”

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Refueling Wing commander and the MacDill community. Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Joe Deluca Editor: Nick Stubbs The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense,

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the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Refueling Wing or the Publishing Company of the products or service advertised.

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MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

NEWS/FEATURES

AF announces changes for enlisted promotion recommendation points Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFNS)—Air Force officials recently announced changes to the Enlisted Evaluation System’s promotion recommendation point matrix.

The changes introduce a new Promotion Recommendation Score, which places value on the experience of Airmen and sustained performance when it comes to promotions. The new score continues the practice of placing greater value on recent over past performance.

“Our Air Force values the experience that our Airmen bring with them,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “The Promotion Recommendation Score is a step in the right direction to ensuring we recognize that experience, along with sustained superior performance.”

The current promotion system varied the available points each year based on the number of years an Airman was eligible for promotion. That approach meant Airmen with the See PROMOTION, Page 7

Domestic abuse, violence victim shares her story

Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS)—It all began with a pattern of substance abuse.

My husband was an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. The first time he failed a drug test and his leadership went to bat for him. Understandably, they didn’t want to leave him behind. He was demoted, put on extra duty for a month and ordered to briefly attend substance abuse classes.

Less than two months later, I found out I was pregnant and two weeks after he was charged with his first DUI. Since it was his first documented offense, he went through the Kansas Diversion Program and his charges were dismissed.

The Army, however, took a harder stance. The circumstances called for an Other Than Honor-

able Discharge, but his command went to bat for him again and secured him a General Discharge, allowing him to retain Veteran Affairs benefits.

I was about six months pregnant when he was discharged.

Without a job or a driver’s license, he sat around the house while I worked and things went downhill fast. He was resentful toward the military and bitter about being in Kansas.

Pregnant and 800 miles away from my family in Michigan, I also felt stuck. I walked on eggshells with him. My tone of voice, facial expressions — anything could set him off and I was always on alert for signs I’d triggered his rage.

Eventually he convinced me his behavior stemmed from feelings of inadequacy and failure. He said he wanted the chance to start over with a clean slate and finish his degree at the Texas university he’d attended before joining the Army. If we moved right after our daughter was born, he said he would immediately get his MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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license back and start spring semester classes to finish his undergraduate degree within a year and a half. The silver lining to his pitch was that after he graduated, we’d move to Michigan to be near my family.

Eight weeks after I gave birth, I left my job at Fort Riley and we moved to San Antonio with our newborn daughter.

I began working as an Air Force Civil Engineer Center contractor in July 2013, just a few months after moving to Texas.

I told people we’d moved to San Antonio so my husband, who recently separated from the Army, could finish the degree he started before enlisting. That was a half-truth because I was too ashamed to tell anyone the full story.

No safe exit We were there less than two weeks. After a night of his heavy drinking and verbal abuse, I packed a bag and tried to leave. He slammed

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Carter

Col. Chris Jones, Task Force Liberty J4 commander, briefs Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, during a walk-through of tent living quarters inside Liberty Village on Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, N.J., Sept. 25. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. The initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.

Photo by Brian G. Rhodes Photo by Airman 1st Class Charles Munoz

Airmen assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron participate in Crow Creek Challenge 2021 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Oct. 1. The annual event tests Airmen’s physical abilities and mental fortitude through tasks including fireman and litter carries, a Humvee push, mock explosive ordnance device searches and career field knowledge checks given by security forces subject matter experts.

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Survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors and trainees participate in the SERE Specialist Training Orientation Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Sept. 21. The SERE training orientation is a 15-day course designed to gauge the trainees’ potential success in the SERE pipeline. The trainees are evaluated on their physical fitness, leadership and followership abilities, time management, speaking ability and commitment to becoming a SERE specialist.

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AFOQT: breaking the language barrier Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

In a giant leap toward increasing diversity within its ranks, the Department of the Air Force recently made changes to its qualifying test for officers. By reducing the mandatory delay between tests from 180 to 90 days and allowing for ‘super-scoring’ of test subcategories, much like college SAT and ACT scoring, DAF is making headway in modernizing its approach to accessions and human capital management. These changes are expected to increase the pool of qualified applicants without adjusting standards, and are expected to have the most impact in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Since 1953, the primary test the DAF uses to measure and align officers is the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. The AFOQT is a managed aptitude test utilized to select the most qualified pool of officers and outplace candidates to job-specific functions. The AFOQT is divided into 12 subtests, with results in the following areas: quantitative, verbal, academic aptitude, pilot, combat systems officer and air battle manager.

While the AFOQT has proven to be beneficial, the validity, fairness, and bias of the test are continuously being scrutinized to ensure the DAF is able to recruit and use America’s top talent.

The Hispanic Empowerment and Advancement Team, a DAF Barrier Analysis Working Group, sought feedback from across the total force on how the AFOQT presents testing barriers that do not allow qualified, English as a second language candidates to serve in the DAF. Maj. Rafa-

el, the lead for the HEAT’s overcoming language barriers line of effort, analyzed the issue and advocated for AFOQT modernization to ensure the test continues to maintain a high standard for its officers and is equitable for Hispanic officer candidates who desire to serve their country.

The HEAT line of effort complements the initiatives of the Air Force Pilot Selection Process Working Group, led by Air Education and Training Command. This working group, which includes experts from the Air Force Personnel Center and HAF/A1, conducted extensive research to identify and remove barriers for qualified candidates and improve diversity, while upholding standards of excellence when selecting pilot candidates. The working group has provided 12 comprehensive recommendations, including updates to the Pilot Candidate Selection Method and modernizing the AFOQT, to provide more diverse qualified candidates.

Here are the recently implemented changes that resulted from the Pilot Selection Process Working Group’s recommendations: n Minimum time allowed between testing: Previously, 180 days. Now, 90 days. n Super-scoring: Previously, AFOQT scores associated with only a single test administration were used. Now, the highest AFOQT composite scores are used across any and all previous AFOQT attempts. n Super-scoring for rated: Previously, individuals could not compete

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ABUSE From Page 3

my head against the wall and choked me while I held my daughter in her car seat. I remember my vision fading, the sound of a lamp hitting the ground and being afraid that my newborn would be hurt if I dropped her or fell on her if I lost consciousness.

It still scares me to think about what may have happened that night if it had not been for my German shepherd, Kodiak. There was a lot of snarling and yelling and then suddenly I could breathe. Kodiak bit his arm and brought him to the ground. He threatened to have Kodiak euthanized if I called the police.

Too often people will hear stories of domestic violence and say, “If that was me I would just ....”

I want people to know that’s not helpful. Until you’re in that situation and feel the weight of every potential consequence, you can’t begin to imagine what you would do. I recognize my privilege played a key part in my ability to eventually escape my abuser. I am educated, I am financially independent and I have a strong support network, but it still took nearly four years.

What does that say for women who are financially or emotionally dependent on their abusers?

At AFCEC, no one had a clue what my home life was like when I left the office each day. I didn’t want them to know because work was my escape. In the office, I had a support network that kept me going. Every day I walked through the doors of Building 1 and the AFCEC team built me up, restored my self-confidence and self-worth, and granted me opportunities to grow as a consultant and a professional in my career field.

In 2014, he swore off drinking after he lost control at a wedding and shoved me. He said he didn’t like the way people looked at him like he was a bad guy. I told him if he continued drinking it would be a matter of time before something bad happened and he wasn’t going to get off easy a third time. I was only half right.

Second DUI, another second chance In 2015, he got another DUI and I really thought he would be charged.

I was banking on it when, instead of immediately posting his bail, I went to file for emergency custody. But that’s not what happened. Instead, his veteran status granted him admission to Veteran Treatment Court. An-

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other opportunity to avoid charges if he completed the program.

While the VTC is a valuable hybrid drug and mental health court program that serves veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and other disorders, in my case it enabled my abuser to continue abusing me while he navigated program requirements in pursuit of another clean slate.

Because I’d broken his trust by trying to leave, his promise to move to Michigan after graduation was no longer on the table. He also retained an attorney and had papers drawn up to keep me in the state. Instead of serving me, he said that if I left the state with our daughter I’d be hauled back to Texas for legal proceedings. Since he was a veteran who technically didn’t have a record and was in good standing with the VTC, it was unlikely a court would elect to grant anything other than shared custody.

I went to three different lawyers to confirm that scenario. I couldn’t leave our young daughter alone in his custody, it wasn’t safe. I begged him to give me another chance and told him I wouldn’t betray him again.

In 2016, his erratic behavior worsened and he began losing touch with reality. He would stay up for days without sleep and was suspicious of everything I said and did.

One day in desperation, I called the VTC from my car in tears and begged them not to tell my husband I called. I needed them to know he wasn’t in the right state of mind and I didn’t feel safe. I wanted them to assess him. They told me he was meeting all program requirements and they couldn’t do anything for me and to call the police. The police said they couldn’t do anything because a crime hadn’t been committed and referred me to a women’s shelter.

I wiped away my tears, freshened my makeup and went back to work.

Probation violations A few weeks later after failing a random drug test, he wanted me to go to the hearing to voice my support in front of the judge and say I thought the mouthwash he was using caused a false positive. If I didn’t support him, he said he’d never reconsider moving to Michigan.

At the hearing I stayed silent when the judge confronted him. He got lucky though and wasn’t kicked out of the program. He didn’t consider

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PROMOTION From Page 3

same level of performance in a current year, and with more experience, ended up with less overall points. The new score removes this outcome and allows sustained performance and experience to be valued.

The central tenet of the new Promotion Recommendation Score is to award enlisted performance report points based on the documented performance earned by each Airman in that year. The higher the earned performance value, the more points an Airman receives. All Airmen earning the same rating receive the same point value in that year regardless of how many years they’ve been promotion eligible.

Also under the new system, experience points are awarded for a maximum of two previous EPRs in the current grade, based on the ratings earned in those particular years. All Airmen having the same level of performance and same years of eligibility receive the same experience points. Just like the point structure for current year performance, experience points increase with increased levels of performance.

Similar to the current system, the PRS continues to utilize a maximum of three EPRs in the current grade and point values are constructed to favor an Airman’s most recent performance. Unlike the current system, scores do not change the value of an earned rating based on the number of times an Airman has been eligible. It awards full point values for each rating in any given year. This ensures Airmen with the same level of performance in any particular year earn the same point and experience values.

Under the new Promotion Recommendation Score: 1. First-time eligible, received a Must Promote in 2021 a PRS will be 220 2. Second-time eligible, received a Must Promote in 2021 and a P in 2020 a PRS will be 220+10 = 230 3. Third-time eligible, received a Must Promote in 2021, a P in 2020 and a P in 2019 a PRS will be 220+10+5 = 235 Impact of experience points under new Promotion Recommendation Score: 1.Second-time eligible, received a Promote Now in 2021 and a P in 2020 a PRS will be 250+10=260 2. First-time eligible, also received a Promote Now in 2021 but has less experience a PRS will be 250+0=250 These changes will impact senior airmen and staff sergeants who are promotion eligible beginning with the 22E6 promotion cycle. Additionally, the “Not Ready Now” recommendation will no longer receive promotion points and the “Do Not Promote” recommendation will be eliminated under PRS. Commanders retain existing administrative actions to designate an Airman as ineligible for promotion should conduct or poor performance dictate.

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Van Ovost becomes 14th commander of U.S. Transportation Command

by Auburn N. Braithwaite U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.— U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost took command of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) in a ceremony here today, becoming the first female officer to lead the global combatant command.

Van Ovost succeeds Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, the first Army officer to lead USTRANSCOM. Lyons retired today after 38 years of military service.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III presided over the ceremony. He said Lyons is a tough act to follow, but Van Ovost is exactly the right person for the job, describing her as a legend of a leader.

“She’s led at nearly every level of command, most recently at the helm of Air Mobility Command, where she played a key role by supplying planes and personnel for the Afghan airlift,” Austin said. “At the height of the NEO [Noncombatant Evacuation Operation], an aircraft was taking off from Kabul airport every 45 minutes. This kind of real-world combat achievement underscores something crucial. General Van Ovost, in the 21st century, careers like yours are a fighting imperative.”

In addition to recent operations in Afghanistan, Austin highlighted the strategic advantages USTRANSCOM provides to the nation and its ability to align mobility resources to the highest strategic priorities of the Department of Defense (DOD).

He said that on any given day, 115 railcars are moving DOD equipment, 33 ships are getting underway, 1,500 trucks are delivering cargo and every two minutes planes are hauling supplies, refueling aircraft, and moving patients.

Austin said those are just ordinary operations, but also that the past year for USTRANSCOM was anything but ordinary.

USTRANSCOM led the nation through the global pandemic with mitigation efforts, delivery of supplies and vaccines, and by sponsoring critical particle airflow and testing studies onboard commercial aircraft, which established industry-wide safety standards for passengers. Lyons was also directed to activate the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) for just the third time and used CRAF for the first time to transport civilians.

“You had to keep the American military moving during a historic pandemic; and you delivered. You had to execute a complex retrograde in Somalia; and you delivered. You had to conduct the largest noncombatant evacuation airlift in American history in Afghanistan; and you delivered,” he said. “You conducted the largest NEO airlift in American history – in just 17 days.”

Austin said USTRANSCOM soared over the normal high expectations for the command under Lyons’ leadership and forged “a global transportation network that is stronger and faster than ever, and even more secure, hardened, and sustainable.”

As commander, Lyons focused on five priorities to champion transportation and logistical issues: Sealift recapitalization, air refueling capacity, cyber resiliency, digital modernization and the program responsible for moving DOD personnel, their families and their personal property.

Lyons also advocated for partnerships with industry to develop an innovative space transportation prototype to deliver cargo to any place on the globe within an hour.

“When people ask me ‘How does TRANSCOM do it? What is the secret to success?’ I tell them the truth. We are blessed with incredible people from around the globe,” Lyons said. “To the men and women of TRANSCOM, it has been my greatest honor to serve as your 13th commander.”

Lyons said he knows the command will welcome Van Ovost with open arms and that she is eminently qualified to lead an enterprise of more than 116 thousand logistics and transportation professionals to meet a rapidly changing global security environment.

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Photo by Lisa Ferdinando

Photo by Lisa Ferdinando

Photo by Tara Stetler

(Avove) Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost renders her first salute after taking command of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) during a ceremony held at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Oct. 15, 2021. Van Ovost is the first female commander of USTRANSCOM; she takes over for Lyons, the first Army commander.

(Inset top left) Honor guard troops take part in the U.S. Transportation Command change of command ceremony, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Oct. 15, 2021.

(Inset top right) Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons gives his final salute as the commander of U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Oct. 15, 2021. During the change of command ceremony, Lyons passed command of the joint worldwide organization to Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost.

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ABUSE From Page 6

himself lucky and yelled at me in the courthouse lobby. One of the Bexar County probation officers witnessed his verbal attack and called us into her office. She served in the Marines before becoming a probation officer, and that moment landed him on her radar.

He pulled out all the stops in front of the PO. He told her how much stress he was under, he appealed to their shared military service, he blamed the miscarriage I had a few months earlier for plummeting him into depression. He cried.

She stared at both of us for a few moments before she looked at him and said, “I see right through you.”

The drive home was bad. The officer’s words infuriated him, and he was mad at me “for pretending to be a victim” and pitting a PO against him. I had the officer’s card in my pocket. She’d handed it to me as we were leaving, and I didn’t want him to see me put it in my purse.

I didn’t see her card as a lifeline — there wasn’t anything she could do for me because there was no way I was leaving without sole custody of my daughter. But, it was my first sign of hope. The first time someone saw right through him and saw me. The first time my safety and wellbeing were more important than preserving his career and clean slate.

About this time, I approached my leadership and asked to be considered for a remote position once my current contract expired. I said, for personal reasons, I needed the ability to move back home to Michigan quickly if the opportunity presented itself. They agreed.

Light at the end of the tunnel One month later, he failed another drug test and was sent to jail. He called me to post See ABUSE, Page 13

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his bail, but I called the probation officer instead. She couldn’t give me much information, but she said she would speak to the judge personally and recommend his probation be rescinded. She told the judge my story and asked him to consider the impacts to me and my daughter if he was released. I did not post his bail.

Between his time in jail awaiting his hearing and the four-month, inpatient treatment he was ordered to complete, I was able to move back home to Michigan and meet the six-month residency requirement a week before his release. I served him divorce papers and was granted sole custody of our daughter.

Today, I live in Michigan with my daughter, who now shares my maiden name, and I still work for my clients at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. My first two years back home I had constant nightmares. In the benign ones he would show up at my house threatening to fight for custody. But more often, my dreams revolved around him attacking me and my daughter, with me being too injured to pull myself to where she lay dying. My fear and anxiety was incapacitating at times.

Thanks to therapy and a new hobby, submission grappling, I’ve learned to manage my fears and not let them run my life, but it never completely goes away.

In May 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a Domestic Abuse report to Congress. The report documented perspectives from military-affiliated domestic abuse survivors.

Among the top barriers to reporting abuse: financial dependence, fear of not being believed, impact to abusers career and fear of retaliation. For those who reported abuse to commanders, 36% perceived no action was taken and only 5% notified FAP. The Department of Defense is raising awareness on this important issue with a multi-service campaign that includes links to resources and support programs, like the Family Advocacy Program. While these are vital resources, the chain of command is the first and sometimes most powerful line of defense.

Post-Traumatic Stress, substance abuse and domestic violence often go hand-in-hand. I know military leaders face difficult challenges, and I won’t pretend I have all the answers but there are two things I believe would move the needle in the right direction: n Prioritize domestic abuse training for everyone in leadership positions. Ensure leaders are aware of their key responsibilities for domestic abuse prevention and response and can safely connect victims to available resources. n Always see beyond the service member. While commanders have a duty to take care of their service members, it shouldn’t be at someone else’s expense.

Yes, domestic violence accusations can pose a threat to someone’s career, but domestic violence does pose a threat to someone’s life. Never lose sight of what is more important.

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LANGUAGE From Page 5

in rated boards with a super score. Now, super-scoring can be used across all composites to include rated score sets.

First, the minimum time allowed between testing provides greater flexibility for cadets competing for field training, rated boards or commissioning slots. This means that cadets will have more opportunities to take the AFOQT before field training or before Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps boards. Moreover, cadets and detachments are better suited to track cadet progression while they complete the AFROTC program.

Secondly, the super-scoring system is a great equalizer for ESL cadets because they can focus on the verbal portion of the AFOQT after they have a passing score on the quantitative portion of the test. Cadets of Hispanic-Serving Institutions with a STEM focus, like the University of Puerto Rico, typically receive above-average scores in the quantitative portion of the AFOQT the first time. However, these cadets fail the

verbal portion of the AFOQT due to language barriers. Allowing the highest AFOQT composite score will allow ESL cadets to focus solely on the verbal portion of the test thus increasing the overall pass rate.

Lastly, allowing those cadets to compete for a rated board enables the Air Force to leverage talents to fill critical manpower shortfalls and have opportunities to lead at the highest levels in the Air Force. Typically, rated board restrictions prohibited waivers or deviations during the application phase. This regulation change will allow for more Hispanic cadets to leverage the super-score change to be able to apply for rated positions.

Editor’s Note: The HEAT is comprised of total force volunteers across the Air and Space Force, who want to be the change they want to see in the Department of the Air Force. If interested in being a catalyst for positive change for the Department of the Air Force Hispanic community, please reach out through the HEAT Facebook group.

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Free golf lessons for active duty, spouses Bay Palms Golf Complex begins lessons Oct. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the golf course driving range. No reservation required. Log on at macdillfss.com/bay-palms-golf-complex/ for more information.

Zombie 5K Run Oct. 29 Starts at 7 a.m. Bay Palms Golf Complex. Bring the family and enjoy a fun 5K. Wear your creepiest, scariest, funniest costume. Runners, joggers and walkers are welcome. Free T-shirt. Log on at macdillfss.com/ short-fitness-center/ or call 8284496 for more information Cardboard Boat Regatta Nov. 19 Registration is open until Nov. 5. Limited number of teams.

Open to all squadrons and mission partners. Max five persons per team. First place prize is a $500 FSS gift card. Log on at macdillfss.com/ for registration form. Submit NLT Friday, Nov. 5 to Outdoor Recreation or email macdillafbevents @gmail.com.

Call 515-3704 for more information.

NAF job openings To apply log on at USAJOBS. gov. For a quick view of MacDill jobs log on at macdillfss.com/ open-jobs/. Call 828-2911 Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Find more info on these events and more go to: macdillfss.com

Batter up!

Photo by Pfc. Anthony Sanchez

Col. Meredith Seeley, Task Force-Holloman, deputy commander deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, plays during a cricket game between U.S. service members and Afghan evacuees at Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Oct. 9. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After hours chaplain, call 828-4362/4361.

Catholic (in-person) - Sunday - 9 a.m.

Protestant services (virtual) -Sunday 11 a.m. at www.facebook.com/6amwhc

Weekday Mass - In-person Monday Thursday - 12:10 p.m.

Other Faith Groups Off-base referral as needed

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/

Be sure to visit the official 6th Air Refueling Wing website at www.macdill.af.mil MACDILL THUNDERBOLT

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Force Support Squadron Services Effective as of 30 SEP 2021 OPERATIONAL

LIMITED SERVICES/APPT ONLY

CLOSED

MASK REQUIRED INDOORS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Common Access Card (CAC) - ByAppointment Only or Mission Essential Actions (Initial CAC issue; lost CAC; PIN Reset; CAC expiring within 7 days; emergency hardships Retiree/Dependent ID Cards - 2 Kiosks available at the BX for renewals or by appointment only Passports - ByAppointment Only Military Personnel Flight APF/NAF/CIV Personnel Office Manpower & Organization Office School Liaison/EFMP NAF Cashier Cage Private Org/Unit SM&W Funds Emergency Financial Assistance

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Main Base Pool Lap Swim Only – Tues - Fri: 0600-0800 & 1030-1330 *No Reservations Required FamCamp Marina - 1/2 or Full Day Boat/ Equipment Rentals, Snacks & Drinks Boat/RV Registration + Wet Slips Golf Course Arts & Crafts Center Bowling Information, Tickets & Travel DIYAuto Hobby Shop DIYWood Shop Skeet Range Archery - by Reservations Only CarWash/Resale Lot

READINESS/DEVELOPMENT EVENT SUPPORT Breakaway Event Center 50 Person Capacity Theater 50 Person Capacity

FOOD OPERATIONS DFAC Rickenbacker’s Cafe Brews ofthe Bay Bar Smoothie Bar (Fitness Center) 8 Iron Grill (Golf Course) Boomers Bar & Grill (Breakaway Event Center) Hangar 6 Grill (Bowling Center) SeaScapes Restaurant AAFES Food Operations

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Fitness Center - Masks may be removed while engaged in physical activity; 24/7 Access Activated; Outdoor Fitness Classes * No Intramurals/Sauna/Child Care Access Facility Hours: Monday - Friday 0500-2030 Weekends/Holidays 0600-1400 Child Development Centers (CDCs) Family Child Care School Age Program Youth Center Military & Family Readiness Center Open forwalk-in customers and appointments.

Classes & Workshops are a mixture ofvirtual and in person.

Library Base Education Base Training Office Airman Leadership School Professional Development Center/FTAC WAPS/Vol. Education Testing Lodging (MacDill Inn)