Keesler launches new course to train force support officers

Published Oct. 21, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch
Keesler News editor

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- The first group of force support officers in a new Air Force Specialty Code began classes Oct. 6 at Keesler.

The new 38F AFSC, which becomes official Oct. 31, is a combination of what used to be three separate career fields: personnel, manpower and services.

Training was previously conducted at Keesler or at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, depending on the AFSC. Keesler was chosen to train officers for the combined course since it falls under the category of initial skills training.

With some career fields getting smaller, the new combined career field allows support officers more opportunities to prove their value, according to Capt. Michael Stone, 335th Training Squadron mission support training flight commander, who will soon fall under this new AFSC.

"Combining these career fields makes me more useful to the Air Force," Captain Stone said. "It keeps me looking to the future."

Subject matter experts from the three previously separate career fields came together and offered input into a new curriculum which would prepare graduates to fill billets in any one of the three areas. The result is a 49-academic-day course. Upon graduation Dec. 12, the officers will be the first to fill jobs under the new AFSC.

Additionally, the Wolfe Hall classrooms housing the students will receive upgrades soon, thanks to help from Air Education and Training Command and Air Force headquarters personnel community. New tile, paint and local area network connections are all planned for the upgrade.

"We have increased the throughput of students from approximately 200 to more than 320 per year," said Lt. Col. Mark Mesenbrink, 335th TRS commander. To do this, they added three more instructor billets.

To get this course operational on time, many people from AETC headquarters, Air Staff and Air Force Institute of Technology worked with the Keesler staff to make the impossible a reality, according to Colonel Mesenbrink.

"Normally, we need a year to properly bring a new course on line," the colonel pointed out. "This timeline was severely shrunk to a hectic-paced three months. I'm very proud of everyone's efforts to come together and get this course operational. We have a good foundation to alter as needed based on the career field's needs."

Captain Stone leads the team