Out-processing smoothly and timely

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Out-processing can be a daunting task to some, but there are many units on base that help Airmen accomplish it smoothly.

Airmen from the 2nd Force Support Squadron military personnel section are the first of many base agencies an out-processing Airman visits, as they are responsible for the outbound assignments for base Airmen.

"Outbound assignment counselors make sure base Airmen are ready to PCS to their next duty station," said Staff Sgt. Jerry Hicks, 2 FSS MPS. "Depending on where they are PCSing to, there will be certain requirements they will have to meet. We make sure those requirements are met before they out-process."

When an Airman receives a new assignment, normally a permanent-change-of-station, 2 FSS MPS Airmen deliver their report on individual personnel. The RIP is the official notification Airmen receive before getting their orders.

"Their initial assignment briefing is online on the virtual MPF," Hicks said. "If they have any additional questions, they can setup an appointment here."

Some of the base agencies Airmen must visit are finance and the medical group, according to Senior Airman Cedric Johnson, 2 FSS MPS. Additionally, Airmen must out-process from their own unit. There is a virtual checklist Airmen receive after they complete the vMPF briefing that lists every base agency that needs to either be called or visited.

When training needs to be completed, the MPS lets the out-processing Airmen know what they need and tells them to schedule that training with their unit training managers, according to Hicks. The type of training required can include combat arms, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, and self-aid buddy care.

Depending on an Airman's career field, he or she may have different tasks that need to be completed. Personnel Reliability Program Airmen and aircrew have additional tasks they need to do during their out-processing.

"For aircrew members, there are a couple of things that we need to collect and take personally to our next base," said Lt. Col. Brian Nicolosi, Air Force Global Strike Command. "Flight records and the flying evaluation folder are two items aircrew members hand-carry."

The flying evaluation folder contains a history on how aircrew members have performed on various flights throughout their career, he added. The out-processing Airman collects their records through the 2nd Operations Support Squadron.

Once an out-processing Airman has their orders, he or she should immediately go to the Travel Management Office to schedule household goods for pick-up and delivery to their next duty station.

"My job at TMO is to brief all DOD civilians and military personnel on their entitlements and movement of their household goods on PCS moves," said Staff Sgt. Corey Nowell, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron TMO personal property counselor.

TMO assists more than 200 people per week by processing paperwork, calculating personal procured moves and providing briefings about household goods entitlements.

TMO also helps out the Airman's spouse if he or she is separated from a loved one.

"On rare occasions, when the member has to depart before the spouse, the spouse is given the same briefing as the member on procedures and entitlements to ensure a smooth move," Nowell said. "Spouses can receive additional support from our Quality Assurance section if needed."

After the Memorial Day weekend, more than 140 new assignments were given to base Airmen, giving base agencies a lot of work, according to Hicks. Being timely on one's out-processing is essential to making it go smoothly.

"We are minimally manned due to deployments," Nowell said. "Airmen can make this an easy process by contacting us immediately upon receiving their orders to avoid unnecessary stress and scrambling."

Vigilance during out-processing gives Airmen who receive orders last minute a chance to have the best service possible.

Sometimes an Airman gets behind on his or her out-processing, so MPS Airmen are careful to remind him or her to complete certain tasks; at times they may have to take it a step further.

"We contact their first sergeant or commander and ask for help," Johnson said. "Leadership's involvement can help that Airman when they start to have issues."

Leadership's involvement in this situation makes it so Airmen can avoid having their report-no-later-than date pushed back, or worse, having their orders cancelled all together, Hicks said.

While it's the main responsibility of an Airman to be proactive when it's time to change assignments, there are plenty of base agencies and personnel who make sure Airmen are able to out-process smoothly.