AFMC Command News

AFMC leader visits Tinker, highlights civilian issues

  • Published
  • By Brandy Armstrong
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Air Force Materiel Command Executive Director Dr. Steven Butler called upon civilians to broaden their career paths, an effort that takes on added significance as a changing Air Force turns to more civilian leadership, during a visit here that began Feb. 22.

During the visit, Dr. Butler had breakfast with the junior force council, spoke to civilian employees at a town hall meeting and participated in the AFMC/American Federation of Government Employees Partnership Council meeting with Scott Blanch, AFGE Council 214 president.

At the town hall meeting, he spoke about civilian career opportunities in the Air Force. Standing on the stage at the base theater, he identified leadership qualities, addressed the concept of "Blueing the Civilians" and explained the need for civilians within AFMC.

"Our command owns 80 percent of the high-grade civilian positions in the Air Force," Dr. Butler said. "A lot of the civilian leadership doctrine is born in our command."

Often, leaders are people who are trusted, ethical and who impact others. They also have people skills, experience, are business savvy and have an operational ability to make things happen. But, most importantly, they have followers. And the Air Force, particularly AFMC, is looking for more civilian leaders, Dr. Butler said.

As the Air Force continues to change, Dr. Butler said the dynamics are also changing. What once was a military institution run solely by commanders is now more dependent on its civilian leaders. As a result, civilian career paths better resemble their military counterparts, in which civilians move and work in new areas. This concept is better known as "Blueing the Civilians" and was first introduced in the 1990s.

"In today's environment, we can no longer expect civilians to remain technically deep throughout their career in a way such that all they do is one functional activity, and in the process fail to become leaders that will be needed in the future to run our organizations," Dr. Butler said. "We must 'blue' the civilians or create an environment where civilian leaders can take on facets of the military and be capable of taking on key leadership positions."

Dr. Butler said each year AFMC seeks to hire 5,000 new employees at varying levels, many of whom will work at one of the three air logistics centers.

Therefore, if civilians choose to enhance their career paths, Dr. Butler said they should talk with their supervisors, explore leadership training opportunities and expand on their education.

From Feb. 23 to 24, Dr. Butler and Mr. Blanch were two of about 15 participants who attended the AFMC/AFGE Partnership Council's quarterly meeting. During the meeting, senior leaders discussed ways to improve the AFMC work environment.

"It was a very productive meeting," Dr. Butler said. "We covered everything from tactical to strategic issues."

Dr. Butler said the group discussed opening more gates to better accommodate personnel and improving computer access for shop employees who work on the floors.

The group also talked about the newly reinstated presidential executive order on partnership councils and what it means to the Air Force and AFMC. The AFMC/AFGE Partnership Council formed in 1999. But, the concept of management and union representatives working together was first introduced in 1993 through an executive order by former President Bill Clinton. Known government-wide as the National Partnership Council, the act dictated that organizations create their own groups and work for a greater good.

The National Partnership Council disbanded in 2001 per an executive order by former President George W. Bush. In 2009, lawmakers asked President Barack Obama to reinstate the order.

"We're way ahead of the game as far as the executive order is concerned because we've kept our partnership going," Mr. Blanch said. "But, we're going to look at going back-to-basics and look at some of the bases out there and see if we need to refresh what we've learned."