Airmen support reinstatement of face-to-face boards

Published Oct. 18, 2010
By Kim Dawley
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- For the first time in several years, active-duty quarterly award nominees assigned to headquarters Air Force Materiel Command were required to 'meet the board.' Award winners were honored at a breakfast Oct. 8, 2010.

The reinstatement of face-to-face boards is part of AFMC's 'Hold the Line' initiative. It was described in AFMC commander Gen. Donald Hoffman's Sept. 30 Commander's Log, which was distributed command-wide via email, base newspapers and websites.

In the coming months, the command will reintegrate basic military activities, customs and traditions "that are beneficial to the establishment and maintenance of standards, discipline and service culture," General Hoffman wrote. "Awards Boards develop confidence, instill professionalism and allow Airmen to stand out from their peers."

Face-to-face boards were held in four categories -- airman/NCO, senior NCO, company grade officer and field grade officer -- and each board consisted of three members. Each board member asked two questions, and the nominee meeting the board was rated on military bearing and appearance as well as his or her ability to articulate responses.

Prior to the boards, all board members and nominees were encouraged to watch the 'Meet the Board' video available on AFMC's public website.

"The sample board video was a tremendous help," said Senior Master Sgt. David Jones, president of the airman/NCO board. "It covers the entire process so there are no surprises."

Even though he last met a board 15 years ago, Sergeant Jones agrees with the decision to reinstate face-to-face boards.

"I personally believe in-person boards are important in assessing the 'whole person' concept. It's another means of measuring the best of the best," he said. "In addition, meeting the board reinforces Air Force customs and courtesies, which is huge as we get back to the basics."

Lt. Col. Joseph Narrigan, president of the CGO board, agrees.

"Face-to-face boards add a dimension one cannot get by reviewing and scoring a faceless hardcopy 1206 package. It allows the board participant to take an active role in the outcome," he said.

In addition to giving board members "a total picture of the nominees and ensuring their military bearing and professionalism are above reproach," senior NCO board president Chief Master Sgt. Ronnell Horner said, "face-to-face boards are one way to develop our Airmen by building their confidence in speaking to senior-ranking Airmen, in motivating them to excel in all they do, and in grooming them to be future Air Force leaders."

The road to becoming those leaders can involve some nerves, though.

"My superintendent made me do a 'mock board' with only five minutes to prepare," said Staff Sgt. Araceli Grijalva, who met the airman/NCO board. "The shock from being caught off guard helped me get over the jitters I had for the actual board."

Even more senior Airmen can benefit from practice.

"I have been around a while and met a few boards in my day. I thought I would have no problem with nerves when meeting the board, but I did get a little nervous," said Senior Master Sgt. Brian Tobin, who met the senior NCO board. "I would recommend that everyone face a couple of practice boards prior to meeting an awards board."

Although they might have felt intimidated at first, the nominees agreed the process was worth it in the end.

"Despite the nerve-racking nature of a face-to-face board I do support a transition back to this type of selection process," said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Harper, who met the airman/NCO board. "It provides board members with a very well-rounded view of each nominee versus the black and white, impersonal accomplishments that a written package can convey."

Maj. David Kincaid, who met the FGO board, added that "doing face-to-face boards is a great step in the right direction, and it fits General Hoffman's back to basics vision for our Airmen."

Besides, as Sergeant Grijalva said, "It's easy to make yourself look good on paper. It's quite another thing to prove it face-to-face to a group of high-ranking strangers."