AETC assesses MSS programs, sets squadron up for success

Published Jan. 18, 2007
By TSgt M. Davis
Public Affairs

Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Vance AFB will be knee-deep in evaluators during the base's Operational Readiness Inspection in August 2005 - that is why the 71st Mission Support Squadron had a command-level Staff Assistance Visit Monday through Thursday to help assess unit programs and make improvements in plenty of time before the inspection.
"When I attended the squadron commanders' conference in July, they recommended having a SAV six months to a year prior to an ORI," said Maj Julianna Astrachan, 71st MSS commander. "Now is the time to find the areas we need to fix. The inspectors are helping us by providing guidance, training and pointing us in the right direction."
AETC evaluators assessed all unit functions, including commander support staffs that are embedded in other units, the commander said.
"They are looking at the whole gamut - how we deploy, train and conduct our day-to-day business," she said. "I encouraged my staff to let the inspectors know the areas where we are weak, so they can give us guidance."
Capt Mary Nevis, AETC director of personnel field activities, headed the nine-person inspection team that placed the squadron's programs under a microscope.
"We look at past inspections and work closely with the commander and staff to see how to improve certain areas," she said. "We are inspecting Vance, Maxwell and Tyndall air force bases from now until the end of the year. We try to ensure our visits are far enough in advance to give units sufficient time to fix programs before their ORIs."
Although it can be painstaking process, the evaluators looked at every program at every aspect - from education, family support and Military Personnel Flight functions to in- and out-processing and training records.
Amn Wes Schoenhofer, 71 MSS outbound assignments section, welcomed the SAV.
"I wanted some input on how well my programs were run and any advice or improvements I could make," he said. "The inspectors gave us a lot of advice on how to simplify and streamline our processes. They had fresh perspectives on our jobs and how to conduct our programs to make them run more efficiently and have better continuity."
The inspection was very low threat and very relaxed, Captain Nevis said.
"We received a lot of positive feedback. Many people were very receptive and thanked us for helping them prepare," the inspector said.
Major Astrachan has faith in her people and what they can accomplish before the ORI.
"We've got a dedicated team - they are ready to go," the commander said. "They won Best Mission Support Squadron for AETC in 2003, and I know they have what it takes to do well."