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Got structure?

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Dwana Moore
  • 87th Mission Support Squadron
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  As the base career advisor, most of my time is spent talking to Airmen of every echelon. No matter what group of Airmen I talk with, one tier often has a gripe about the other. For example, some Airmen want to know why NCO's aren't mentoring and teaching them. Conversely, some NCO's want to know why senior NCO's aren't mentoring. Senior NCO's are asking questions, too. They also want to know why some NCO's aren't teaching and mentoring Airmen on their jobs and responsibilities. Moreover, everyone wants to know just what is wrong with the Airmen of today. To all that I say: got structure? I am speaking of AFI 36-2618 -- the little brown booklet also known as our Enlisted Force Structure. Where is it, and why aren't we using it?

AFI 36-2618, the Enlisted Force Structure, was created to help manage the enlisted force more effectively; it's a roadmap to our success. The problem is that many NCO's and senior NCO's don't have, nor have they used, this booklet. This is a tool in our toolbox that is readily available to provide directions to the many challenges we face as enlisted leaders. How can we adhere to our roles and responsibilities if we don't know what they are? The answer is simple -- we can't. AFI 36-2618, chapter 1 paragraph 1 states, "Despite the natural differences found across functional and operational lines, there is a compelling need for a common approach to career progression, professional development, and the assumption of increased supervisory and leadership responsibilities. To best leverage our resources we must have a consistent, well-defined set of expectations, standards, and opportunity for growth for all Airmen, regardless of specialty or command. The enlisted force structure provides this consistency and common approach. It is the enlisted force structure that defines us as Airmen, rather than merely specialists." 

As NCO's, whether junior or senior, we must learn our enlisted force structure and we must teach our Airmen, that is Airmen with a capital "A," to do the same if we are to break the cycle of neglect and dissatisfaction. Simply stated, Airmen who are not mentored, most often become NCO's who do not mentor and in-turn becomes senior NCO's who do not mentor. This is clearly a vicious cycle that must be stopped! 

The enlisted force structure is broken down into chapters that describe in detail what our roles and responsibilities are at every level. When you open the cover of the enlisted force structure booklet it says, "Compliance with this publication is mandatory." It does not give you the option of reading it only if you think it's important or only if you have some free time. We must take time to create positive habits that will develop and enhance a strong enlisted corps. We must never forget our primary job is to our replacements and to ensure our Air Force the best and brightest in the world. The enlisted force structure reflects our core values of integrity first, excellence in all we do, and service before self and it is essential to the profession of arms. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with today's Airmen. Our Airmen are well trained, disciplined and eager to learn. They are ready to join in the fight for our freedom; it is up to us to prepare them and to help keep that momentum going. Airmen arrive at their duty sections equipped with the little brown booklet they received at the First-Term Airman's Center and unfortunately, most of their supervisors don't have or use one. We should not hold our Airmen to a higher standard than we do ourselves. I urge everyone who doesn't have a copy of our enlisted structure booklet to get a copy and use it! So, I ask again - got structure? No? Well, see your career advisor for a booklet today.