Aircraft Maintenance Chiefs' Advisory Board

Flying Safety, August, 2002 by Jeff Moening

Is this being applied corporately?

"I don't think it is yet, but it's getting there. This issue was submitted at the first AMCAB and it was brought on 10 years ago as our 7- and 3-level numbers were reversed. The initiative was intended to reduce the tempo placed on 5-levels by putting MSgts in positions to get them promoted. A sole staff-type job. To take the tempo off the 5-levels, we need to put the experience back on the line but also recognize the MSgts as technical experts. The career field Chiefs that sit on promotion boards should recognize this."

"If you want to say that, then we should recognize the MSgt who is being one-third manager, one-third craftsman and one-third supervisor. That MSgt is doing what their responsibility dictates and is ready to assume SMSgt responsibilities. We need to control that aspect. 'I'm not going to get promoted' seems to be the negative feedback we get. We are not asking them to be craftsman 100 percent of the time, just look at their duties. Does this job need to be a full-time additional duty or can a person go back and do that one-third craftsman role? Go out on the flightline and take the corporate experience with you. Not only retain the experience, but also help train the future MSgts. Help them obtain the knowledge and experience they need to work those aircraft. We need to recognize them for the job they are doing as well."

"I sometimes think we look too much at the all-around individual. Must do so much of this and that, including off-duty involvement. If I am spending 12-14-hour days on the flightline, guess what I am not capable of doing on the backside, especially if I have a family? I can be involved in my kid's activities, but it is very tough. I have to be promotion competitive at the wing level, with people who aren't on the line 12-14 hours a day, and that's a tough part of our career field. Look at our awards and decorations programs right now. What blocks do you need to fill out to have that full package? A lot of people are saying 'I would be glad to go out and bend wrenches all day long, but will I be recognized for that?' How do you recognize them?"

"We took a lot of the tools out of their hands, and we corporately threw titles at them. People are striving for titles. People are asking, how does this title sound? I always ask, 'How does the job sound to you?' The duty description will get you promoted, not the title."

"That brings up a key point. We as a group must document that the MSgt on the flightline is doing an outstanding job on a day-to-day basis, versus a three-deep MSgt or second person on swing shift. Is that person on swings making a difference for the mission? The person leading people out on the ramp is making a difference. Some of our SNCOs have the impression that they need to be that second or third person for the duty title. That is what will get them somewhere, and they have actually fooled themselves. We are coming full circle on this issue. We took training records away from the MSgt, and soon we will give them back. Are we correcting something that shouldn't have even happened?"