LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Changes have come to the Military Personnel Flight, and 2nd Lt. Gina Vaccaro, deputy commander for the flight, wants everyone to be sure to know how to get through the processes and procedures that have changed.
"Our general services and our span of services haven't really changed. It's just the method they would use to go about them," said Lieutenant Vaccaro. "A lot of the processes people used to do face-to-face have been moved to the virtual MPF, so people are now going to have to go to their computers for things that used to be done in person."
Though the virtual MPF has been in existence for several years, those with personnel needs will now need to become more familiar with it, as command support staffs are moving out of the individual squadrons.
"A lot of processes, like retirement, citizenship and separations are all on virtual MPF now," said Lieutenant Vaccaro.
"Now, everyone comes here. We're the focal point for all processing actions. So, instead of relying on CSS in the squadrons, you'll either come here or do your processes online."
Chief Master Sgt. Steve Harris, MPF superintendent, said though things are changing, it's simply a consolidation effort.
"The whole base-level service delivery model went into effect in August last year," he said. "That took the CSS out of each unit. The Force Management office in the MPF now does what CSS did in the units before."
Lieutenant Vaccaro said the MPF is working to make the transition easier for everyone involved.
"There are a lot of functions we do, so we've created a handbook, a reference, and it basically goes through each and every personnel action anyone would want to do," she said.
"That can be found on our Web site on the portal. It also has a link to our newsletter. We know things are changing, and we're doing our best to avoid confusion."