IS FREE REALLY FREE PALACE ACQUIRE AS AN EFFECTIVE FORCE RENEWAL SOURCE FOR AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Abstract
The Air Force Public Affairs career field has experienced a host of manning changes over the last 10 years. Reductions in overall active duty officer manning have not only decreased the numbers of Public Affairs professionals at each installation but have also lowered the ranks - and therefore, experience levels - of those remaining. While Public Affairs officer manning and experiences levels - particularly at wing level have decreased, expectations have not; and Air Force Public Affairs civilians are vital to ensuring mission accomplishment. The need for highly qualified and experienced Public Affairs civilians is a constant and force renewal efforts must be efficient and cost effective to ensure mission commanders at all levels are supported. This study focuses on force renewal efforts for Air Force Public Affairs civilians in the GS-1035-11 level, using the Evaluation Framework to compare four unique force renewal sources: PALACE Acquire Training Program trainees, promotion-eligible employees, transfer-eligible candidates, and external applicants. Ultimately, this research reveals, the cost - in both money and manpower - does not support continued use of the PALACE Acquire Training Program for Air Force Public Affairs. Indeed, the level of effort required by wing and major command (MAJCOM) Public Affairs offices to provide the necessary training for trainees in the PALACE Acquire Training Program, exceeds any potential returns these employees provide to their sponsoring offices in free manning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1041073
Entities
People
- Sonja S. Coderre
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College