Photo By Maren Kazin | WFSM Technical Training Instructor, TSgt James Blake, teaching fuel system maintenance...... read more read more
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In 2009, the decision was made to merge the 3E4X1 Utilities Systems and 3E4X2 Liquid Fuels Maintenance career fields into Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (WFSM). Merging these two Air Force Specialties supported the reduction of AFSCs doing similar tasks and addressed near term and future manpower needs for the Air Force. However, the merger, along with reorganizing some base fuels systems under contract maintenance, unintentionally created a skills gap for Airmen to support in-garrison and contingency missions for Fuels Systems Maintenance. The WFSM Career Field Management team in conjunction with WFSM Craftsmen from across the enterprise have created a Special Experience Identifier (SEI) to facilitate closing that skills gap.
The WFSM career field is responsible for operating and maintaining several large and/or complex systems such as: building plumbing systems, water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, natural gas distribution systems, fire suppression systems, and fuel distribution systems. It is extremely difficult for our Airmen to be proficient and have in-depth knowledge on these various systems. So, our Airmen do not get the opportunity to spend adequate time training on and maintaining fuel systems, specifically aircraft hydrant systems, to develop the skills they need for agile combat support…today and in the future.
The Fuel Systems Maintenance SEI will provide our Airmen with training opportunities. The SEI will encourage supervisors to keep WFSM Airmen that have a minimum of 12 to 18 months of fuel system maintenance experience proficient and confident. This effort will ensure mission sustainment and AF policy adherence. Specific positions on unit manning documents (UMD) will be coded with the SEI at installations that have aircraft hydrant fuel systems and active-duty WFSM personnel assigned. The unit commanders and supervisors will be able to identify Airmen they currently have assigned to fill those SEI positions in order to effectively develop Airmen and meet unit’s mission requirements. The SEI criteria was published in the latest Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory and can be viewed on myPers at https://mypers.af.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/7504/kw/afecd.
Our training development team at Sheppard Air Force Base has updated the Fuel Systems Maintenance Technician (FSMT) course to support this effort. The new hybrid course will consist of 40-hours online taken prior to a 40-hour in-residence course at Sheppard Air Force Base. This course is mandatory before awarding the SEI. Prior to attending the course, the student must have (1) one year of experience maintaining aircraft hydrant systems, (2) hold the rank of Senior Airman or above, and (3) at least a 5-skill level. Upon completion of the FSMT course, the supervisor can place the Airman in the SEI coded position.
Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-1067, Water and Fuel Systems, has been updated to include this SEI management. The new chapter will provide guidance on installations requiring SEI positions, how to award SEI, and how to manage SEI. The AFI is in final review and is expected to be published later this summer.
A Playbook is under development to support the execution of the SEI program. The Playbook will define roles and responsibilities for key positions related to Fuels Systems Maintenance. All components of the SEI programing including the (1) FSMT course, (2) SEI-coded UMDs, (3) published AFI 32-1067, and (4) Playbook are on track to be ready by October 2019. Updates will be provided as these products get closer to their final form.
For any questions regarding the Fuel Systems Maintenance SEI, please contact CMSgt David Kledzik at david.kledzik@us.af.mil.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2019 15:09 |
| Story ID: | 332467 |
| Location: | TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 785 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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