PRP is everyone’s responsibility

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeffrey Carson
  • Wing PRP monitor
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Many people have heard the phrase "there is no business like show business." To offer a different twist on that, at Malmstrom, "there is no business like Personnel Reliability Program business." 

Just ask around the base ... each group, several support agencies and all PRP members will tell you this program is a mindset, a culture, a way of ensuring our Nation and our assets here are ready for war. Simply put ... PRP is our license to operate. 

The purpose of the PRP program is to ensure each individual who performs duties involving Malmstrom's assets meets the highest possible standards of reliability. This program ultimately rests on each commander's shoulders, but it takes the integrity of each member (PRP or not), co-worker, supervisor, PRP monitor and support agency to ensure the commander has all the pertinent data to make informed and sound decisions. 

A PRP member is the most important player in the program. It's up to each person to display "integrity first" at all times. Each person is responsible for monitoring their own reliability and for notifying their certifying official immediately of any potentially disqualifying information. Each person is solely responsible for disclosing any information regarding, but not limited to, their physical, mental or emotional status, conduct or character, on- and off-duty, which may impact the ability or reliability of an individual to perform their duties. 

Supervisors play an important role in monitoring the reliability of their subordinates and are responsible for immediately notifying the certifying official of all PDI. Initial screenings of PRP members is the first step of continuous evaluation in which they are observed for compliance with reliability standards. On- and off-duty performance and behavior are also considered on a continuos basis. Supervisors assist the CO with determining both the capability and reliability of their members. 

Another key factor in the PRP certification process is the Competent Medical Authority. The CMA provides an evaluation of the individual's physical and mental reliability. Before getting treatment or consultation, each PRP member is responsible for informing support agencies (Clinic, Life Skills, Family Advocacy, Family Support, etc.) of his or her active PRP status. 

PRP does not stop when a member goes on leave or TDY. Each PRP member is responsible for informing their CO when health care is provided at leave and TDY locations. Additionally, any time a PRP member receives health care off base (including emergency room visits), a CMA must review their health care records to medically clear them to perform PRP duties. They must also provide the CO with a recommendation. 

It's clear the success of the PRP program is driven by the PRP member's ability to stay physically fit, mentally alert and technically proficient at all times. It also takes extensive communication between the member, their supervisor and their commander to ensure the reliability of each PRP member is without question. 

America is the greatest country in the world and with this kind of outstanding teamwork and dedication to the Personnel Reliability Program everyone is doing their part to ensure its safety - today, tomorrow and into the future.