Personnelists save time with new technology Published Aug. 11, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The most valued Air Force mission asset are Airmen and it's up to 92nd Force Support Squadron personnel specialists to advise service members on career development, job specialties, promotions and training programs. Recent updates to the way the military personnel section supports these war fighters are making it easier to accomplish the mission thanks in part to advances in technology. The MPS recently completed an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event primarily designed as a learning tool to understand how to trim down parts of their processes and reduce man hours. AFSO21 is the AF's dedicated effort to maximize value and minimize waste in all processes. The program's mission is to establish a community of continuous process improvement at Fairchild that leverages the benefits of the collective experience, expertise, tools and best practices across the installation. One way Fairchild's personnelists are trimming down their processes is by way of a new and improved computer sign in system that allows their Airmen to remain productive at their desk, but customer oriented when necessary. The section has also implemented a new online schedule with more technological advances coming soon, including informational televisions posted around the section for greater information dissemination. "We are now using the DEERS/Rapids online scheduling system that allows members to make an appointment prior to their arrival," said 2nd Lt. Evelyn Oehmke, the 92nd FSS military personnel section chief. "With the new appointment system, customer wait times have decreased and will continue decreasing as more members and retirees use the system." A link for the scheduler can be found at www.fairchildfun.com or by typing "DEERS/Rapids" into any search engine. Oehmke said the new system is great for spouses too. "Imagine a mom has two to three young ones and can't find a sitter but needs a new ID card, or needs to get her child who just turned 10 their own ID card, that mother can make an appointment to ensure that they have less wait time and they know exactly when to show up," she said. "When you arrive at the MPS on the day of your appointment and go to sign in, please make sure you mark the box stating you have an appointment so we know you have arrived." Fairchild's personnelists work hard to ensure their customers are taken care of in the swiftest possible way, Oehmke said. Whether active duty, guardsmen, dependents, reservists or retirees, these Airmen schedule and process service members across virtually every career field here. "Our ultimate mission is to take our guidance and knowledge to help other Airmen reach their short- and long-term career goals while enabling our Wingmen to get tankers in the air providing responsive, precise aerial refueling and operational support for the full range of military missions," explained Oehmke. The military personnel section is open Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and walk-ins are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call MPS Customer Service at (509) 247-4026.