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Leadership addresses upcoming Force Management cuts

By Chris Calkins, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published December 20, 2013

Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander, 45th Space Wing, speaks during an Enlisted All Call Tuesday morning at the Base Theater. She conducted similar All Calls with the civilian workforce and offi cers separately in light of upcoming changes to the Fiscal Year 2014 Force Management programs. “Only you know what’s best for you and your family, not anyone else,” she said. “We just want you to use any and all the agencies we have at your disposable. We’re all in this together,” she said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Matthew Jurgens)
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Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander, 45th Space Wing, speaks during an Enlisted All Call Tuesday morning at the Base Theater. She conducted similar All Calls with the civilian workforce and offi cers separately in light of upcoming changes to the Fiscal Year 2014 Force Management programs. “Only you know what’s best for you and your family, not anyone else,” she said. “We just want you to use any and all the agencies we have at your disposable. We’re all in this together,” she said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Matthew Jurgens)

“As we become smaller, it is even more important that we retain high performing Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Herman Moyer, 45th Space Wing command chief. “Job performance is and will continue to be our first priority,” he said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Matthew Jurgens)
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“As we become smaller, it is even more important that we retain high performing Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Herman Moyer, 45th Space Wing command chief. “Job performance is and will continue to be our first priority,” he said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Matthew Jurgens)

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PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Just days after receiving notification of upcoming changes to the Fiscal Year 2014 Force Management programs from Air Force Headquarters, wing leaders here conducted three
separate Town Halls off ering information and guidance to the enlisted, officer and civilian work force.

Late last week, the Acting Secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force Chief of Staff and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force announced that the Air Force must implement work-force shaping actions to comply with mandatory funding targets as a means to re-balance the workforce in order to meet skill demands for fiscal year 2014 and beyond.

"To be blunt, we are going to get smaller ... smaller than we've ever been as an Air Force," they wrote. "Over the next few years, we may have to reduce our force by approximately 25,000 Airmen and as many as 550 aircraft if we do not receive any budget relief," wrote the three senior leaders. This is the largest cut in a single year in Air Force history.

Both officer and enlisted Airmen are expected to get notifications via email of any possible actions concerning them sometime later this month.

EYES WIDE OPEN APPROACH
"The timing for this announcement is just horrible. Combined with the holidays, the stress levels for some could really get high. I get it," said Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander, 45th Space Wing, who personally hosted all three Town Halls, along with Chief Master Sgt. Herman Moyer, 45th Space Wing Command Chief, and Lt. Col. Greg Jones, commander, 45th Force Support Squadron.

However, she also said she wanted everyone who could be involved - and their commanders - to go into this issue with an "Eyes-Wide- Open" approach, as opposed to being caught by surprise.

"The best way for our Airmen to confront this situation is to identify it, learn all you can about it, and then make decisions that are best for you and your families," said Gen. Armagno.

TAKING THIS PERSONAL
Gen. Armagno reminded all three groups - and their supervisors - that this entire process has the potential to be very impersonal. She directed that to not happen here.

"Every squadron commander will meet personally with any Airman -- officer or enlisted -- who gets contacted about their future service within our Air Force," she said. "We take this very personally, and we're not going to allow any Airmen to take this on alone."

She continued to hammer home the message that there are many avenues to take (See Page 3 for a list) for help here at the 45th Space Wing, and said every agency here will be ready and waiting to serve our Airmen and their families.

FOUR MUST-DO's
1. Are you affected?
2. If so, what programs are you eligible to pursue?
3. Know who to talk with, and go talk with them ... do not wait.
4. Check and re-check your personal records. Paper is your first impression in this process.

Chief Master Sgt Moyer had this to say about the upcoming changes as he spoke at the Enlisted Airmen Forum. "This is not new; we knew it was coming. It just got 'real' and it got real, real fast," he said.

"When I get any information I will pass it down to you, but I can assure you of this: As we become smaller, it is even more important that we retain high performing Airmen. Job performance is and will continue to be our first priority," said the Command Chief.

NOBLE TO SEPARATE
Gen. Armagno also assured every Airman that there is no stigma whatsoever associated with voluntarily separating from the Air Force.

"Only you know what's best for you and your family, not anyone else," she said. "If now is the best time for you to separate, you will get our full support to make it as soft a landing as
possible."

"We just want you to use any and all the agencies we have at your disposable. We're all in this together," she said.

Wing and Community Support
Chapel -- 494-4073
Family Advocacy -- 494-8171
Health and Wellness Center -- 494-2660
Mental Health Services -- 494-8234
Resiliency Office -- 494-6968
Airman & Family Readiness Center -- 494-5675
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator -- 494-7272
Military Family Life Counselor -- (321) 634-4953
Fitness Center -- 494-4947
Brevard Workforce -- (321) 504-7600
Brevard 211-- If you desire a non-DoD related resource (24/7)
-- Dial 2-1-1 from OFF-base phone  and(321) 632-6688 from ON-base phone
Military One Source -- 1-800-342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.mil