Air Force Web site expands services to help with PCS

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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  Air Combat Command has created a Web site to ensure civilians and career-field managers have the resources to stay well-informed about the upcoming implementation of the new National Security Personnel System.

Updated regularly, this Web site, https://wwwmil.acc.af.mil/dp/DPC/NSPS/NSPSPage.htm, also provides documents on proposed Department of Defense guidance and policy on the new system. Downloadable training manuals and briefings for employees, supervisors and commanders are also available online.

This site provides a wealth of knowledge for ACC civilians and managers and is one-stop shopping for NSPS information, said Ms. Susie Cash, a human resource specialist at Headquarters Air Combat Command.

NSPS is a massive revolutionary change that DOD has not seen since the 1960s, said Mr. Scott Reynolds, deputy director of ACCs A-4 Directorate, Maintenance and Logistics.

NSPS will give Defense Department managers and civilians the opportunity to transform and shape the civilian work force through a performance management pay system, Ms. Cash said. With NSPS, annual pay increases in the forms of annual pay adjustments and bonuses are tied to an individuals contribution to his or her units mission. The new system eliminates the General Schedule pay scale and instead relies on pay bands for an annual salary.

I believe NSPS will be a modern, flexible and agile human resources management system that will ensure accountability at all levels within the Air Force, Mr. Reynolds said

NSPS will be a completely different mindset, not only for managers, but for the employees, Ms. Cash said. She noted training and communication are two key elements of NSPS.

NSPS will require supervisors and employees to establish performance goals and expectations. To prepare them for this requirement, computer-based training modules and classroom instruction on effective communication strategies have been created and are being used at ACC installations.

Likewise, employees need to be able to communicate with their supervisors and not be afraid to ask about performance expectations, Ms. Cash said. Tips for discussing these issues will be available after the final system design has been approved and published by DOD and the Office of Personnel Management.

As each ACC base implements NSPS, new information will be posted on the ACC Web site. Ellsworth AFB, S.D., is the commands first base to begin implementing NSPS. The base has already posted items relevant to its implementation efforts on the ACC NSPS Web site. The command is using best practices, tools and lessons learned to help shape implementation across ACC.