Get prepraed for upcoming inspection: Total recall

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Anthony Taylor
  • 341st Mission Support Squadron
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  "This is a recall. Report to your duty sections immediately." Today's state of readiness has increased tremendously as a result of the Global War on Terrorism, so preparation is a must at all times. According to AFPD 10-2, Air Force readiness is defined as "the ability of USAF forces to deliver their designed outputs without unacceptable delay." The directive goes on to state that readiness "is essential for successful accomplishment of the Air Force mission."

In order for each of us to accomplish our mission and, in turn, help the Air Force achieve its mission, we must ensure we are present and ready to carry out that mission. All the expertise and training in the world is useless if our expert, highly-trained personnel are unavailable to do their job. So, what can we do?

As fate would have it, the answer is conveniently located in our very own 341st Space Wing Instruction 10-201. You can obtain this instruction from your Commander Support Staff or the Base Personnel Readiness Function. The instruction primarily entails local recall procedures, a major component of readiness. As members of the Air Force (military and civilian), it is our duty to ensure we are contactable and ready to serve in the defense of our country when we are called. Fortunately, we already have a recall system in place to ensure we can do this properly. Many of us are aware of these recall procedures, but there are a few important points that warrant emphasizing.

Recall Rosters: It is essential for everyone in a unit to have an accurate and accessible recall roster. Per AFSPCI 10-207, telephone recall rosters (a.k.a. pyramid alert roster) should contain accurate phone numbers and addresses for every person in the unit. Usually civilians don't get called in during "exercises;" however, they are susceptible at the wing commander's discretion. Civilian employees (government service, national security personnel system and non-appropriated funds) will most assuredly be recalled during real-world incidents. All military, civilian employees and family members of both will need to be accounted for to assure total force accountability. Military family members are identified as those registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (our military database); all others are not required to be accounted for under Total Force Accountability. For civilians, those receiving entitlements are considered family members. In our most recent Total Force Accountability exercise, the base practiced accounting for all military, civilian employees and family members of both. This is a new concept in light of the natural disasters in the world over the past few years. The practice is still in the beginning stages of being incorporated into the rules of engagement.

Additionally, units should be prepared to recall all personnel in the event of a communications outage (COMM-out). The primary way to accomplish this requirement is to personally travel to a member's house and notify them of the recall. For this reason, a separate COMM-out recall roster should be maintained. It is essential the names and addresses on this list be arranged by geographical location, not by rank, section, squadron, etc. This prevents undue delays. As you know, it is not efficient for a person to drive to flag hill, to the dorms and then to the mall area to make notifications. The pyramid alert and COMM-out rosters can be combined into one roster for simplicity, however all members must be ordered by geographic location.

Remember, recall rosters have personal data on them therefore they must be labeled "FOUO" and contain a Privacy Act of 1974 statement.

Statements: During recalls, it is mandatory to read the appropriate Format Statement, verbatim. These should be located on the unit's recall roster. Included in these statements is important information such as the reference hour (recall time), recall instructions and whether the battle staff will be formed or not.

Recall times: What does it matter what time we get recalled? Aside from knowing what time you were dragged out of bed, the recall time is essential for accountability purposes. Did you know that you have three hours from the time of initial recall notification to account for every single member? This includes all members whether they are deployed, TDY, in the field, on leave, hospitalized, in jail, on pass, etc. This doesn't mean everyone must be present for duty, but everyone must be accounted for. Three hours may seem like a long time, but in reality, three hours flies by when you're trying to account for 4000+ military and civilian personnel.

Timeliness: It is imperative members, when recalled, report to their duty sections immediately and in uniform. AFPD 10-2 specifically states the member should not "delay for personal grooming or meals." This means arriving at your duty section ASAP ... showers, shaving and makeup should be postponed.

Contact: Of course, having accurate phone numbers and addresses is useless if the member isn't at home and doesn't have a cell phone. Personnel should do their best to be contactable at all times. Have an alternate number where your unit can reach you during a recall, let your supervisor know. Don't go hunting, camping or out of town if you are on six-ring alert. In Montana, even having a cell phone with you is no guarantee of contactability. Don't forget, if placed on six-ring standby, you may be called in to work at a moment's notice, therefore - no consumption of alcohol.

Exemptions: During a real-world event, the only exemption from a recall is if you are deployed on a contingency tasking. For an actual recall, the wing commander may direct a recall of all personnel on leave outside of the local area, TDY or on special pass. CSS personnel will simulate this via various simulated messages during exercises. If you're not on leave, TDY or in the hospital or jail and no one can reach you, then you're not considered accounted for - and, you're keeping the base from reaching its accountability goals.

All personnel are subject to be recalled. Be prepared.