Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Quiboloy | Tech. Sgt. Ricky Evans provides information to an Airman while serving in the 163rd...... read more read more
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Ever wonder what it would be like to serve at the National Guard Bureau (NGB)? Staff Sgt. Ricky Evans, of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing recently returned home from a tour at the Air National Guard Readiness Center on Andrews Air Force Base, where he served in the NGB Human Resources Directorate from March 6, 2014, to April 1, 2015.
“I had the opportunity to see firsthand and learn the bigger picture of our Air National Guard,” said Evans. “I was able to learn more about my Human Resources Air Force specialty to better help others and better myself in my career.”
Evans was on an Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) tour to learn and assist at NGB while still assigned to the 163rd RW at March Air Reserve Base. He originally applied for a six month position and was able to extend for another six months.
“I was wondering if I could keep up and how I would earn the right to be there when I first arrived,” said Evans. “As a staff sergeant, I was the lowest ranking. The average rank was master sergeant and above.”
When asked why he would want to move to the East Coast to work at NGB, he explained, “I was looking for opportunities to grow. I’m able to do my job as a personnel specialist at my unit, although working at NGB allowed me to grow and continue to learn the duties of a civilian human resource manager.”
“I have a degree in human resources and to be able to work in every aspect of the position at NBG was a great opportunity to expand on my knowledge in the career field,” said Evans.
He learned of the opportunities at NGB through a previous supervisor who had told him about ADOS and statutory tours at NGB. He decided to visit the website and see what opportunities were available. He saw the human resource manager position listed, applied, submitted his package, interviewed over the phone, got selected and was on his way to the East Coast.
Evans worked on a three-person team with two master sergeants, both serving two- to four-year statutory tours. His team was in charge of processing positions for the ANG directorates.
“We would receive and review daily,” said Evans. “This involved getting the notifications from the directorates, completing drafts on job descriptions and contacting applicants via email.”
Evans explained his daily duties at NGB. “We would reach out to the applicants if we found incomplete or missing documents and notify them if they didn’t meet the criteria of the position. We would post to the website, check off qualified applicants and request interviews.”
“I learned time management and how to be flexible with last minute adjustments. I thought I was already good at those skills, but realized there was another level to it,” he said. “I was able to rise to the occasion and the whole experience pulls the best out of you. You are able to show them what you’re made of.”
Evans said there were various tasks to be accomplished in a fast-paced environment. “The directorate would request our team to advertise new positions and upcoming vacancies. We then notified the directorates of any discrepancies and what documentation was required.”
“We worked closely with manpower personnel to validate positions. Part of the validation may have included position locations, upgrading or downgrading rank requirements and security requirements. After the position was validated, we would advertise the job on the website. I received and reviewed approximately 50 applications a day,” Evans said.
What advice does Evans have for someone interested in working at the NGB? “Be open to change.”
Evans was recently accepted for a full time position in the 163rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and will move on to the Mission Support Group Orderly room.
“The experience I received at NGB helped prepare me to take on new assignments as important as serving several squadrons at the group level,” he said.
Evans has served in the California Air National Guard for seven years. He began his career in Civil Engineering at the 163rd RW. He later transferred to the Force Support Squadron to better align his skills to his degree in Human Resources.
“The hardest part of working at NGB was being away from family and home,” Evans said. “My 12-year-old son visited for the summer and we enjoyed time together sightseeing in the heart of Washington, D.C. The experience of being on the East Coast for a year was a great opportunity — being able to visit museums, and places like New York and Philadelphia — taking in all of the history. I would recommend the whole experience.”
For information on how to apply for an active duty operational support tour or a statutory tour with NGB, visit ANG.AF.Mil/Careers/mva and http://www.ang.af.mil/careers/ados/index.asp.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2015 19:33 |
| Story ID: | 177814 |
| Location: | RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 175 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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