AFSO21: A mission-improvement tool

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Recent guidance from Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the Air Force Chief of Staff, continues to demonstrate the service branch's strong commitment to its Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative. 

"The Air Force has committed to AFSO21 -- a critical and enduring journey of innovation that we must all embrace across our total force," General Schwartz said in a recent letter to leadership. "This is a fundamental transformation regarding how Airman perform their daily duties. To be successful, a true behavioral shift must occur so every Airman: 
1) understands improved mission performance is the objective of all AFSO21 efforts; 
2) brings a critical eye into the workplace; 
3) pursues innovative and efficient ways to do the job; and 
4) comes together to solve problems, exploit opportunities, and maximize efficiencies." 

In a letter from General Schwartz exclusively, an emphasis was placed on general officers, senior executives, command chief master sergeants and career-field managers to attend the AFSO21 Senior Executive course. 

Mr. Steve Oien, the 60 AMW's AFSO21 process manager, said the letters underscore that AFSO21 is a "mission-improvement tool" for all Airmen at all levels to learn and use effectively. "The central part of these letters, the steak and potatoes for AFSO21, is the organizational culture and personal behavior shift to get us into a lean/improvement mindset that all Airmen should be involved in improving their work processes and results they achieve," Mr. Oien said. 

Robert Shaw, one of Air Mobility Command's AFSO21 contractors, said that the AFSO21 process is different than ones such as Total Quality Management that have come before it. "AFSO21 is about cultural transformation, strategic alignment and value stream improvement all led by leadership." 

Mr. Shaw and Mr. Oien said Travis is ahead of the pack in many ways in terms of its AFSO21 progress, but can always do better. 

"Focus on improving your part of our mission and we all succeed," Mr. Oien said.
For more information, contact the AFSO21 office at 424-4581.