Helping Airmen climb the career ladder

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The difference between a successful career and an unsuccessful one is how a service member manages and plans for their future.

In an effort to support those forecasts, members from the 509th Force Support Squadron Career Development Office are available to help connect Team Whiteman to their goals.

"We sustain the number one warfighting machine in the Air Force; which is people," said Capt. Amanda Patton, 509th FSS Military Personnel Section Chief. "We ensure people are prepared to accomplish the mission."

The MPS office provides 100 percent customer service to the warfighter to adequately prepare them to complete the mission. Services include promotion retention, re-enlistments, assignments and assisting those transitioning in separations or retirements, according to Senior Master Sgt. David Grisdale, 509th FSS Military Personnel Section superintendent.

"Our team also ensures an Airman's needs are met when it comes to re-enlistment bonuses, special boards such as force shaping, cross training and are involved in the date of separation rollback program," Patton said.

The 12-person team is also in charge of the Personal Deployment Function and is tasked during an exercise or real world events.

"We make sure Airmen are combat ready with updated dog tags, records and emergency contacts," Patton said.

Additionally, the team assists in Causality Augmentation Support Team for search and recovery and is trained to respond to an incident, according to Patton.

"We notify the Air Force Personnel Center of a member's condition or circumstance," Patton said. "We work closely with other base facilities and commanders to ensure a streamlined process is established."

The one-stop shop is designed to be a smooth process while taking care of customers' needs to the upmost of our ability so they can focus on the mission, according to Patton.

"While service members are at Whiteman AFB, our office will eventually affect them," Patton said.

Their job also affects family members, according to Master Sgt. Dawn Couey, 509th FSS Military Personnel Section Career Development supervisor.

"We have each family member to consider as part of the process," Couey said.

The staff of 12 personnel serves more than 30-40 visitors a day, which does not include the phone calls and emails, according to Couey.

"The busiest time of year is summer because of PCS season - we gain and lose people during this time period - we also train incoming staff," Patton said.

The team stays busy and makes every effort to accomplish their goals and work toward the next level, according to Grisdale.

The Career Development Section is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. To make an appointment call, 660-687-6454.