AFSO 21 facilitator training takes off on base Published Feb. 22, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Larry Carpenter 92nd ARW Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The first AFSO 21 level one facilitator training class was conducted Feb. 5-8 here. The class consisted of 16 students, both officer and enlisted, with three of the students attending from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. The course functions as a force multiplier for the AFSO 21 program; the trainer trains personnel who can eventually become trainers themselves. "The purpose of the training is to build an organic capability that would answer the need to sustain the AFSO 21 program going forward," said Bill Long, AFSO 21 Representative with the 92nd Air Control Wing. In order to become qualified facilitators, personnel must complete the required training. The AFSO 21 level one facilitator training consists of four full days of theory and application, such as applying knowledge to different case studies. "The students will participate in group exercises, map out processes and discuss process improvement during the class," said Mr. Long. The training consists of technical tools, such as facilitator-based information and non-technical tools dealing with cultural change, team dynamics, conflict resolution and project management. Both types of training combine into the facilitation effort. "The training was four days long and included lecture and exercises," said 2nd Lt. Greg Kirkwood, the Resource Management Deputy Flight Commander with the 92nd Medical Support Squadron. "We were able to apply AFSO 21 principles to scenarios which gave us all some hands on experience." The technical and non-technical tools don't necessarily strive directly toward a goal but work through the progression to achieve processes that are more efficient, said Mr. Long. An AFSO 21 initiative can be as in depth as completely re-vamping an entire process, or as simple as getting on the same page with those involved in a process. "The process could be as easy as breaking down barriers of communication," said Mr. Long. "Groups that might not interact with each other can sit down together and discuss ways to improve a process." Facilitators are not responsible for being project managers - that's for the team leaders - but they are there to provide up-front training to the team for the AFSO 21 event. If a facilitator were to become actual project managers for numerous projects, it would consume a majority of their time and not allow them to facilitate other initiatives, said Mr. Long. After initial training, facilitators must participate in one event, co-facilitate one event, and finally facilitate one event with limited input from the instructor. "Once all the training has been completed, a formal certification will be awarded," said Mr. Long. A major benefit of the facilitator training certifications follow the individual, so even if they move to a new base or leave for a temporary-duty assignment they can facilitate initiatives and train new people. "The training provides a flexible pool of people to perform facilitation in other groups when TDYs take their toll on available trained facilitators in groups and squadrons," said Mr. Long. The next level one facilitator training class will be held in early April and will be structured to bring in additional members from each group. The class is open to people from other bases who would like to become facilitators. (Editor's note: This story is part one of a three part series on Air Force Smart Operations 21 events at Fairchild.)