Travis Air Force Base, Calif. -- The 349th Air Mobility Wing’s first-ever virtual Wing Commander’s Calls took place on May 16 and 17, 2020, and they were a great success. Col. Charles Metzgar, 349th AMW commander, and 349th AMW Command Chief Master Sgt. James Burmeister received 14 questions during the event, which we have posted below, along with their answers.
If you have questions for the commander and command chief that you would like answered during the June UTA’s Virtual Wing Town Hall, please email them to 349AMWPA@us.af.mil no later than noon on June 5, 2020.
1. Q: How does the Wing plan on conducting June PT testing virtually, for those who are due, and if the waiver is not extended past May 31st?
A: Policy guidance was released late last week with the new fitness testing guidelines. Bottom line is that all fitness testing is suspended until 1 October. After 1 October 2020, a phased testing approach will be implemented in order to regain F2F currency.
2. Q: When returning deployers are tested for COVID 19, do they need to have a result before they’re released to home to self-quarantine, or do they have to be lodged until the results come in?
A: Airmen who are currently deployed will be tested before they leave their deployed location and will not be allowed to redeploy until negative test results are returned.
Upon their return to home station, Airmen will receive PPE to include thermometers, cloth masks, rubber gloves, and sanitizers.
A 14-day Restriction Of Movement is mandatory for Airmen returning from deployment
Airmen who live outside the local area (150 miles) will lodge in a hotel in the Fairfield/Vacaville area. Those who live in the local area, and have no members at home who are at high risk for COVID-19, will complete their 14-day ROM at home and be restricted to the local area.
Airmen who test positive for COVID-19 will remain in place, transition to a pre-MEDCON order, and follow guidance from the 60th Medical Group/Public Health Office and the 349th Aerospace Medicine Squadron.
3. Q: I have a question regarding our meals, since virtual UTAs are going to be a new norm. We are not receiving per diem for our food because our meals are provided to us on base, but now that a lot of us are working from home until further notice, are we eligible to receive per diem?
A: There is no authority to pay a member per diem while teleworking. As no travel is involved, the member is considered corporate limits with no travel or per diem authorized. Furthermore, per diem is the allowance for lodging, meals and incidental expenses, and it is authorized only during official travel.
4. Q: Many hospitals under universal masking policies are allowing non-clinical roles and staff outside of patient care wear cloth, paper, or surgical masks as preferred; and they must keep them on except for eating and drinking and only when socially distanced. What type of guidelines will our masking policy consist of? Is a policy created yet?
A: At a minimum, everyone is required to maintain six feet of social distancing space between themselves and others whenever possible, and to wear a mask if closer than six feet. It is important to remember that wearing a mask whenever you are not alone helps protect yourself and others from contagions. Thus, so long as it is not a safety hazard or impossible to carry out your duties while wearing a mask, it is recommended to do so by the Centers for Disease Control.
We are now developing an innovative plan for protective measures and procedures that will allow us to confidently accept many Airmen back into their duty sections as early as the June UTA. This is a work in progress as we brainstorm and beta test the implementation of best practices recommended by the federal, state and local governments.
5. Q: What approaches will be implemented to help reservists make up their Annual Tour days? Could funding for training include simulation training and/or alternative productive training under the budget for Annual Tour? If approved, how soon could this be implemented?
A: Each unit’s leadership is expected to create solutions so that when Airmen physically return to their duty sections, they have accomplished as much virtual training as is possible. This policy has already been implemented so please reach out to your unit supervision for ways to accomplish training remotely.
6. Q: Is there a plan for a COVID 19 resurgence, as far as Annual Tours and UTAs?
A: Yes, we have implemented a phased approach in which we rely on medical professionals to determine risk and provide advice as we take steps to increase or decrease the number of Airmen who will return to their duty sections.
7. Q: You've been in the Air Force for XX years, what has been the driving force for your retention?
A: Col. Metzgar: “Continuing to serve with Airmen.”
A: Command CMSgt. Burmeister: “I simply can’t get enough of the travel voucher experience.”
8. Q: What is the greatest advice you have received in your career?
A: Col. Metzgar: “If you approach every situation as if you are the dumbest person in the room, you will succeed.”
A: Command CMSg.t Burmeister: “Remember where you came from.”
9. Q: Looking back at your time in the military, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you had known as a junior enlisted/commissioned person?
A: Col. Metzgar: “Ask more questions.”
A: Command CMSgt. Burmeister: “Be your own advocate.”
10. Q: What would you tell Airmen who are deciding whether or not to re-enlist?
A: Col. Metzgar: “When you approach an open door, walk through it.”
A: Command CMSgt. Burmeister: “Ditto.”
11. Q: Are there any opportunities for younger members in the 349th to sit in on strategic level discussions to be a "fly on the wall"?
A: Col. Metzgar: “I go back to my previous statement about walking through open doors. Sometimes you need to build that door by asking for what you need. If you feel it would be beneficial to attend a strategic meeting in your unit, make that clear to your chain of command.”
A: Command CMSgt. Burmeister: “I agree with Col. Metzgar, and would especially like to see more representation at strategic meetings with junior enlisted members, especially E-3s - E-4s.”
12. Q: Under the current COVID 19 restrictions, how are PHAs and Medical Profiles being handled?
A: PHAs:
-All non in-person PHA’s are closed out by our physician during the week, so long as the member completed their PHAQ and MHA.
-All in-person, SFS, and fly PHA’s will be completed once we return back to normal ops.
-Fly 2992s extensions: The 90-day extension is from when the current DD Form 2992 expired (455th day), meaning members may be extended to the 18th month (545th day) since last PHA/FOME.
-Any member deploying with outstanding IMR requirements will be accommodated by the RMU and host MTF.
Medical Profiles:
-Fitness profiles and Case Management are still being accomplished during the week. No changes to our operations
13. Q: Is there virtual assistance offered to help with Legal Powers of Attorney?
A: The Legal Office can draft Powers of Attorney during virtual UTAs, but the documents cannot be executed virtually. Execution of a Power of Attorney includes notarization, which must be performed in-person. While Airmen are on orders, they may receive such services at any military legal office, including active duty offices. Traditional Reservists are only entitled to those services during UTAs or active orders. Given the circumstances, calling ahead is advisable. Alternatively, members can have Powers of Attorney notarized within the civilian community.
14. Q: How is delayed compliance of MICT deficiencies being addressed?
A: Programs owners are encouraged to perform self-assessment in MICT consistently throughout the year. Communicators are validated twice per year on 31 May and 30 Nov. The 31 May validation suspense was extended to 30 Jun 2020. Extension needed for MICT observations can be addressed directly with individual unit leadership. In addition, extensions needed for specific IGEMS deficiencies can be coordinated with the IGI team.