MPE merger promotes efficiency

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The official standup for the new 28th Military Personnel Element in 28th Mission Support Squadron took place March 3. The 28 MPE replaces all group commander support staffs as well as the 28th Military Personnel Flight.

This 28 MPE merger not only follows design plans directed by the Presidential Budget Directives, or PBD-720, it also demonstrates the Air Force's movement to dealing more with a computer-based personnel system as well as allowing for a more flexible and efficient personnel system.

"The merger is a movement from one-on-one processing to virtual personnel processing," said Senior Master Sgt. Penny Mendez, 28 MPE superintendent. "It's better for the office because before the merger, when one worker [Airmen or civilian] was out of the office, there wasn't enough back-up; with the merger everyone can learn each other's jobs and provide more flexibility in the office."

The merger was implemented by Col. Scott Vander Hamm, 28th Bomb Wing commander, in late January 2008. The actual merger, however, came early in order to better serve both 28 MPF and CSS customers.

"We started the merger early to be ahead of the game and to provide better customer service," said Capt. Eric Belcher, 28 MPE commander.

The merger also entails a combining of offices that were once divided between group CSS and 28 MPF, as well as different customer service appointment hours.

Now, customers are only able to make appointments from 7:30 to 11 a.m.; this will allow more time for job training among the MPE.

To aide customers with the changes the 28 MPE has required each member of its personnel to work as a greeter and stand outside the new offices, which are located in the lower level of the Rushmore Center, for one hour shifts while they direct customers to their service and appointment locations.

The merger requires patience not only from customers of the 28th MPE; it is also required from employees who are use to working in smaller groups, said Sergeant Mendez.

"The biggest difficulty for members of the MPE is moving from a unique group process to learning the processes for a wing," Sergeant Mendez said.

Though the workplace has transitioned, employees of the 28th MPE will maintain a professional demeanor, and remain working for the future of their wing, Captain Belcher said.

"Like any change there will be bumps in the road," Captain Belcher said. "We [28 MPE] will smooth the bumps out of the road, it just requires patience."

Additional mergers will occur in the near future with the combination of the 28th Services Squadron and the 28th MSS into the new 28th Force Support Squadron.