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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKHAM, Hawaii - The 15th Wing conducted its first Enlisted Forced Distribution Panel (EFDP) Jan. 16, a process that determined which promotion recommendation technical sergeants assigned to small units would receive on their 2015 enlisted performance reports.
The panel, a 13 member group led by panel president Col. Randy Huiss, 15th Wing commander, took four hours and 40 minutes to grade all competing records.
“Going in, it was unchartered territory, but a lot of learning took place,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Williams, 15th Wing command chief, the only enlisted advisor on the EFDP.
Last year, the Air Force announced updated enlisted performance report forms and the utilization of new forced distribution and senior rater stratification restrictions to round out the incremental changes to enlisted evaluations and promotion systems with performance as the driving factor in promotions.
This EFDP determined “promote now,” “must promote,” or “promote” ratings for those in squadrons with 10 or fewer promotion eligible Airmen.
“The intent of the EFDP and forced distribution process is to ensure Airmen awarded the top two promotion recommendations of ‘promote now’ and ‘must promote’ receive a distinct advantage when competing for promotion,” said Master Sgt. Jack Jones, superintendent Force Management. “The benefit of the panel is that you have a group of seasoned officers as panel members, reviewing records and selecting the best of the best for the top two promotion recommendations.”
Once the EFDP selected the Airmen eligible to receive the top promotion recommendations, the remaining Airmen received outright “promotes.” Airmen who received "promote" recommendations from the EFDP or directly from their unit had significant opportunities for promotion as overall promotion percentages exceed the allocations controlled under forced distribution.
Five percent of eligible technical sergeants, or those who received a “promote now” rating, received a 50 point advantage over those who received a “promote” rating. Those who received a “must promote” rating, 10 percent of technical sergeants, received a 20 point advantage.
The panel graded a mock folder prior to the actual competing records to ensure scoring procedures were understood. Then, each competing record was scored on a ten point scale, resulting in a maximum of 130 points available. If a variation of more than 1.5 points was received on a candidate’s record, deliberation was required.
“For individuals promoting in the future, the EFDP could result in a distinct advantage if a member receives a top two promotion recommendation,” said Jones. “Therefore, members must ensure that their records indicate advanced job performance in their primary duties as well as encompassing the whole airmen concept of leading major programs, pursuing higher education, and competing for group and wing level awards.”
When it comes to performing well before the panel, Williams says it’s important to be your best in your job as well as outside activities.
“Everything matters,” he said. “You have to always be willing to step outside of your comfort zone to separate yourself from your peers. If you’re offered an opportunity, even if it’s not the norm for you, step up. Show folks that you can succeed in any capacity, whether in your functional AFSC duties or volunteering. Those little things matter.”
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2016 21:31 |
| Story ID: | 189727 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 433 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 15th Wing holds first Enlisted Forced Distribution Panel, by Capt. Kaitlin Holmes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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