Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 7-24-15

2 July 24, 2015 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeaf b http://www.luke.af.mil

How do you stack up?

by Master Sgt. I think most would agree that if they looked across
NICK LEDESMA their section, they would see hard-working, technically
proficient Airmen. So if you had to separate everyone by
56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron their rank and stack them against each other, what would
set them apart after you got past the job performance?
Master Sgt. With upcoming changes to the
Nick Ledesma enlisted performance report and It’s safe to say that within a unit there are going to
be people who just stand out among their peers. When
Air Force promotion system, it’s you get past those few, it becomes harder and harder to
separate them.
important to understand how you stack up against your
When it comes to volunteering, the degree of involve-
Fowler Park (on base) peers, not only within your job, but within your unit as well. ment in the bigger projects can be perceived more sig-
nificant than the amount of times or hours put in.
Wednesday, July 29 • 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. The days of receiving time in grade and time in service
Likewise, pursuing a degree beyond your CCAF that
Join us for a fun, free back-to-school event for the entire family! We will be points are numbered. They are being replaced with a harder supports your specialty code will become more important.
giving out 300 free backpacks complete with school supplies. Activities will Winning quarterly and annual awards will become more
look at the member’s sustained performance. Some may important. It will be these things that will set you apart
include bounce houses, a magician, games, free food and door prizes! from the rest.
believe that this will lead to a decrease in the weight given
Questions? Contact the base chapel at 623-856-6211. I think this change to our EPR and promotion sys-
to personnel who volunteer or pursue higher education; tem will force supervisors at all levels to look at their
Sponsored by subordinates and see where they really need to grow
however, don’t be fooled into thinking the “whole person” to become future leaders. Whether it is a lack of job
knowledge, CCAF or volunteering, it will show in their
concept is going away. records, and it will have an impact on whether they are
deemed promotable.
Volunteering and pursuing a higher education will still
So where do you stack up amongst your peers? This
ACTION LINE be an important factor to getting promoted, but more im- is a question you should ask yourself and your supervi-
sor daily.
portantly, it is not going to be about the one or two times

you volunteered throughout the year. Up for consideration

56fw.pa@us.af.mil will be in what capacity you volunteered, and were you
623-856-7011
rewarded in some way for your efforts?

The Commander’s Action It won’t be that you just received a Community College

Line is your direct line to me of the Air Force degree and are now actively working to-

with questions or suggestions ward a bachelor’s. It will be “what are you striving to get a

about subjects of concern to the bachelor’s degree in?” Will it be something that will benefit

entire Luke Air Force Base com- the Air Force, or does it benefit only you?

munity. CCAF o ers jump on education

I appreciate your feedback.

Your ideas and concerns help

build a stronger foundation on

which we can successfully com-

plete our mission and take care

of our people. Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus by Senior Airman
To receive a response, leave 56th FW commander SPENCER BROCKMAN

your name and telephone num- 56th Component Maintenance Squadron

ber. Action Lines of general interest are printed in the The Community College of the
Air Force was established in 1972 to
Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and most efficient recognize academic achievements for
technical training by Air Force schools.
way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to the respon- It awards an associate in applied and aircraft and missile maintenance. force to maintain critical and valuable
science degree to enlisted members Since military personnel are con- national defense assets outside of the
sible agency or through your chain of command. of the active-duty Air Force, Air Na- normal job qualification training. The
tional Guard and Air Force Reserve stantly relocating, CCAF provides a perk for the Airman is that the skills
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along Command who have completed the means for them to complete degree and education translate very well to
course work. requirements regardless of where they public and private industries.
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, are assigned.
Degree programs are designed to There are many programs set up in
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. help students meet future technologi- I recently had an opportunity to go which the Air Force helps to offset the
cal and leadership challenges of the to a CCAF graduation ceremony on cost of getting an off-duty education.
PHONE NUMBERS Air Force by combining Air Force tech- base. The commencement speaker was Most notably are military tuition as-
nical training with general education a retired Air Force command chief. It sistance, Montgomery GI Bill and the
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 course work from accredited civilian always leaves an impression on me Post-9-11 GI Bill.
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 schools. CCAF has five broad areas in when I hear from retired enlisted
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 which it offers degree programs. They Airmen that have doctorates. They While you are in the military, the
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 are logistics and resources, public have worked tirelessly to support most accessible program to use is
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 and support services, allied health, themselves and their families not only tuition assistance. It provides 100
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 electronics and telecommunications, working for the Air Force, but also percent of tuition and fees as long as
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 to get an education for themselves. the limits are not exceeded.
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 The Air Force wants Airmen to be
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 educated. It benefits by having a more The opportunities are there for Air-
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 diverse, qualified and educated work- men. It’s up to each person to take
Housing office ...................................................... 623-856-7643 advantage of them.
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 Luke Editorial Sta The Thunderbolt uses material from the Armed Forces Information Service, Air
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 Force News Service, AETC News Service and other sources. All advertising is handled
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus by Aerotech News and Review. They can be reached by calling 623-487-7321.
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 Public Affairs chief ...................................................... Maj. Matt Hasson
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 Public Affairs deputy chief .................................... Capt. Ryan DeCamp The Thunderbolt is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no
Office of Special Investigation .............................623-856-6821 Internal information........................................ Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 56th
Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968 Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. govern-
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 Editorial Information ment, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force.
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements,
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ and click on PDF edition does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the DOD,
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 The 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office prepares all editorial content for the the Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and Review.
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 Thunderbolt. The editor will edit or rewrite material for clarity, brevity or to conform with
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273 Air Force style as required by Air Force Instruction 35-101. Submission deadline is at Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase,
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 noon the Wednesday nine days prior to the desired publication date. Contributions for use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
the Thunderbolt can be made to the Public Affairs office, 14185 West Falcon Street, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of
Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., 85309 or through e-mail to 56FWPAThunderbolt@us.af. the purchaser, user or patron.
mil. The editor can be reached at 623-856-5998 and the fax number is 623-856-6013.
Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs office of
Luke AFB, Ariz. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated.