ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Air Force Smart Operations in the 21st century program is instituting changes to the First Term Airmen Center program.
Andrews is scheduled to be the first base to institute the new format of FTAC for the class beginning Feb. 23.
"The FTAC program will include AFSO 21 briefings which are tailored to Airmen and designed to make them more aware of ways to avoid waste and do their jobs at a more efficient level," said Master Sgt. Jeanna Stansbury, Air Force Smart Operations Communica-tions Branch NCO in charge.
In addition to the change of curriculum, FTAC will also change its overall structure.
The most apparent change to the FTAC program at Andrews is that it is being shortened from 10 to five days, according to Tech. Sgt. Matthew St. Onge, 316th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of FTAC. This change was directed by the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas, with the aim of getting first term Airmen back in their duty sections and learning their jobs as quickly as possible and eliminating duplicate training that the Airmen are receiving.
The base populace will also notice some other changes; most notably the completion ceremony will become less formal. In addition, tours of the base and local area will be eliminated.
"The Air Force hopes to standardize FTAC curricula across the force," said Sergeant Onge. "By doing so, we will ensure that all Airmen are getting the information that they need with minimal duplication. In addition, there is a need to have all first term Airmen focused and ready to perform when they arrive at their job site."
"We with AFSO 21 understand this is a large task to try and orient the U.S. Air Force to a way of doing business that has a very precise focus on improving efficiency," said Brig. Gen. John Posner, director Air Force Smart Operations. "The whole focus of AFSO 21 is about mission performance. It's about at the end of the day doing what you do better so the Air Force can perform its mission more effectively."