UDMs ensure deployment readiness Published Oct. 9, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La -- Barksdale's unit deployment managers ensure that deployable personnel and cargo are ready to deploy at a moment's notice. UDMs are responsible for ensuring 100 percent mobility readiness and by doing so, they keep personnel mobility folders in inspection, order as well as ensure Airmen are trained depending on requirements specific to their deployed location. "On a daily basis, we do folder reviews to make sure people have all their requirements as well as handling real-world deployment personnel to get them ready," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Anderson, 2d Maintenance Squadron, assistant UDM. "During exercises, UDMs are practicing like it is a real-world situation." UDMs also report their squadron's status, on manning and readiness, including scheduling all of the annual dental and medical exams for their squadron members. The job of a UDM is usually a two-year controlled tour with the option to extend for a year. Normally there are no deployment requirements, but when a UDM deploys they help coordinate to get personnel and equipment back to home station. Despite the hard work and long hours of the job, UDMs still feel a reward with a job well done. "I would have to say that my favorite part about being a UDM is seeing people reunite with their families after a long deployment," said Tech. Sgt. Mark Golden, 2d Maintenance Squadron, plans and programs non-commissioned officer in charge and unit deployment manager. "The most important part of being a UDM is ensuring that the proper paperwork is on hand that enables squadron personnel to deploy at a moment's notice." Although UDMs work to get deployers out the door, it sometimes can get very stressful. "Exercises are extremely difficult," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Schreck, 2d Maintenance Squadron, unit deployment manager. "Normally we have a least a month to prepare personnel and equipment to deploy, although, during exercises we have only a few days. The small problems become huge problems with the short timeframes." UDMs must complete comprehensive deployment training for programs such as, logistics module, status of resources and training system, and air expeditionary force reporting tool system. However, most of the knowledge gained is through experience with these programs. "I have gone through UDM training and several classes to use the computer systems we use in our everyday duties," said Sergeant Schreck. "However most of the training is received while on the job." Appointed by their squadron commander, UDM's are the focal point of any personnel and equipment movement. They ensure equipment and personnel are available that are needed to carry-out the mission. "Being able to send a large number of equipment and personnel through the processing line without incurring any frustrations, and knowing that everyone's hard work preparing everything has paid off is the most rewarding part of my job," said Sergeant Golden. UDMs, although always in the background, are the key to getting personnel and equipment to any deployed location.