17th TRG begins new out-processing system Published Feb. 13, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Erica Rodriguez 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 17th Training Wing recently took Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiatives to help reduce inefficiencies during in-processing and out-processing for students. These inefficiencies cause lost training time, extra spending, and stress to support agencies within the wing. The average out-processing time for a student currently varies anywhere between a total of five to 17 days, depending on where the student is going and if the student has dependents. Under the AFSO 21 concept, the 17th TRW devised a new process late last year to find a way to vastly improve faults in the system and reduce the time students spend out-processing here at Goodfellow. The improved process was first implemented Jan. 22. Wing agencies will conduct a centralized meeting each week for those scheduled to graduate and PCS within 60 days and 30 days. These centralized meetings bring to one place all the agencies an out-processing student would otherwise have to take training time to visit. "At the 60-day meeting the students receive a checklist," said Lt. Col. Edward Blitt, 17th Training Group Deputy Commander. "They are briefed by representatives from the Travel Management Office, the 17th Medical Group, Finance, Airman and Family Readiness, and the Military Personnel Flight to begin out-processing." The briefing 60 days prior to PCS aims to inform students about the things they will need to know before departing Goodfellow. "Some critical aspects are to educate students on their benefits available from TMO and Finance, and to tell what the medical group needs to do with them before they leave," said Blitt. "The major emphasis for the 60-day briefing is the MPF's ability to talk face-to face with everyone and receive some initial information to help start producing the student's orders." One of the goals is to make sure students have their orders in hand no later than 30 days prior to PCS because in the past there have been issues with students receiving orders as late as a day before PCS. Once the students have their orders they are able to complete the next major step in the new out-processing system at the 30-day out-processing event. "The 30-day event is more of an information fair, where each of the base agencies will have tables set up," said Blitt. "For example, Finance will have a table set up and if a student decides to request Advance Dislocation Allowance, he or she can sit down with the Finance representative, fill out the right paper work with their orders and Finance can process the DLA request rather than the student having to take time from training and march over to Finance." This new system cuts a five to 17-day process down to a one day process, saving precious training time, the AF money in delayed departures and base agency personnel time. The 17th TRW has also developed a plan to reduce time spent in-processing as well. That process is scheduled for March 18.
