AF Financial Management Head Visits Keesler For Schoolhouse Rollout

Published Oct. 30, 2007
By Carlos Rodriguez
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AFB, MS -- John G. Vonglis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, visited Keesler on Monday, 29 October 2007, to officiate at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the rollout of the new officer schoolhouse here.

The event marked the official opening of the newly-renovated schoolhouse facility and the introduction of the new basic financial management and staff officer course curriculum.

"Today is about crafting the future of the Air Force financial management career field," said Mr. Vonglis.

The curriculum change focuses on the transformation of financial managers from performing transaction-oriented service to becoming strategic financial advisers to commanders.

"The new schoolhouse provides the foundation to build the skills officers and civilians need to gain this world-class knowledge in a world-class setting," said Mr. Vonglis.

The new course represents the largest FM curriculum change in 20 years.

"We revamped over 70 percent of the course material in the basic and staff level courses," said Mr. Vonglis. "In the past, our officer and civilian courses concentrated on how to complete the day-to-day job. The new courses prepare our officers and civilians to think ahead and problem solve, allowing them to be proactive instead of reactive."

A major curriculum change normally takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months to
conceive and implement. The FM change was completed in less than a year.
"The curriculum review started in November of last year; we began teaching the new curriculum this month," said Mr. Vonglis.

While this is a huge change for the officer and civilian corps, plans are also afoot to change the curriculum for the enlisted corps.

"The new enlisted curriculum and facility renovations are underway," said Mr. Vonglis. "The curriculum will be rolled out in April of 2008 and the facility will be completed soon thereafter."

The FM schoolhouse rollout is not the first transformation under Mr. Vonglis. A new Air Force Financial Services Center at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. recently opened, merging numerous financial transactions under one roof.
"By consolidating military and travel pay functions in one location, the Air Force will save $210 million over 10 years," said Mr. Vonglis.

These Air Force financial management accomplishments are part of ongoing Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century and transformation efforts.

"Financial Management's transformation is a great success story and it shows how the Air Force can work smarter and leaner and transform itself to meet the challenges of the 21st century," said Mr. Vonglis. "The FM transformation story also shows that the AFSO21 initiative works and provides results."