Team MPS, getting it right

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Force Support Squadron military personnel section received the 2015 A1 Gerrit D. Foster, Jr. Outstanding Military Personnel Program Award.

This is an Air Force level award focused on team or program performance determined by outstanding contributions and commitment to excellence in serving Airmen and their families.

Malmstrom has won the award for the second time in three years.

“The Gerrit D. Foster, Jr. Award recognizes the best MPS in the Air Force,” said Ken Sylva, 341st FSS military personnel section chief. “It validates the hard work our team puts forward, and affirms Malmstrom is getting the best personnel service the Air Force has to offer. MPS takes care of personnel business so Airmen can focus on their primary jobs. That’s a win for whole team.”

According to Sylva, MPS submitted a package of achievements to compete against 82 other bases and came out victorious.

“The success is due to the team’s understanding of their role in the wing mission, and an environment where people are free to innovate,” said Sylva.

There are a number of factors involved when gauging the success of an MPS. Malmstrom consistently rated near best in every category in 2015.

MPS knocked the competition out of the park by successfully and efficiently handling the most important pieces of information in an Airman’s personnel records including personnel reliability program requirements, permanent change of station processes and handling duty orders.

Malmstrom also took charge of the assignment incentive pay system by accomplishing a 96 percent completion rate only one month into the program’s inception. This program not only critically impacted the 341st Missile Wing but the nuclear enterprise as well by improving force conditions for missile maintainers and security forces Airmen with special duty assignment incentive pay due to field deployments.

The Air Force goal for MPS is to have an 80 percent timeliness competition rate.

Malmstrom achieved 98 percent.

For Malmstrom’s MPS of approximately 20 Airmen, this win is becoming a trend.

“We have a very young crew of 23 members over here, not just in age, but in experience,” said Sylva. “Our Airmen are stepping outside of themselves and using their motivation to provide Malmstrom in a positive and impactful way.”

At the 341st MW, the MPS is comprised of three sub-sections including customer service, force management and career development.

These sections handle various critical stages on the human resources side of an Airman’s service including in processing, promotions, temporary assignments, permanent change of station and discharge from service.

Staff Sgt. Anais Lopez Quinones, 341st FSS career development supervisor for outbound assignments, says that her role as an MPS Airmen is critical in taking care of all Airmen at Malmstrom “face-to-face.”

“I help people PCS out of the base, to make their transition smoother,” said Lopez Quinones. “It’s good to have someone for guidance, to have that one person who can answer all their PCS questions.”

According to Sylva, MPS is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, no exception other than wing-wide closures.

“We have a great team,” said Lopez Quinones. “We all work toward one goal: providing the best customer service. We all do our best and give more than one hundred percent. MPS Airmen strive for the best.”