All-In Action Plan, always ready

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Maintaining the defense of the nation’s most valuable priority level one resources is an undertaking the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron takes very seriously.

“The 341 MSFS All-In Action Plan is a campaign that just started, which is basically an attention to detail campaign,” said Maj. Jeremy Sheppard, 341st MSFS commander.

The All-In Action Plan is a comprehensive plan to further enhance the squadron’s culture of integrity, excellence, pride and professionalism, all necessary to maintain precision combat capability in the nuclear security mission.

“Those values are our foundation as security forces members,” said Sheppard. “As defenders, our core values must be above reproach and should always be in our tool-kit to help mitigate complacency out in the missile field.”

The foundation of this plan focuses on improving processes at all levels, remaining engaged and focused at every level of leadership, compliance with standards and directives, and a priority on attention to detail both on and off duty.

“Security forces Airmen have to be ‘all-in’ constantly, whether it be out in the missile field battling complacency, participating in exercises or taking care of families and fellow Airmen,” said Sheppard. “Attention to detail is going to improve our squadron from good to great.”

Defenders are briefed with examples of specific mission tasks and how to accomplish those tasks to better understand goals and objectives.

“The idea is to remove all ambiguity when dealing with standards and regulations,” said Sheppard. “Implementing the All-In Action Plan in a straightforward manner ensures everyone knows the expectation, the standards and how we can exceed those standards as a unit.”

For example, the 341st MSFS is required to administer attention to detail discussions and group activities with all Airmen in the squadron.

The action plan then states who is responsible for the task, how often it must take place and statistics on completion for accountability.

“(The 341st Missile Wing) leadership team is encouraging a culture of developing innovative processes and increasing our level of professionalism,” said Sheppard. “When we implemented the action plan, we saw immediate improvements in teamwork and engaging in a ‘think-tank’ mindset.”

Sheppard also said that having a clear and defined outline of roles, responsibilities and expectations helps all Airmen to be on the same page.

According to Chief Master Sgt. Keith Collins, 341st MSFS superintendent, implementing the All-In Action Plan is important to help improve attention to detail practices at Malmstrom.

Collins also said an important part of the program is to remain engaged at all levels of leadership within the squadron while tasks are being accomplished.

“Having two-way communication benefits Airmen,” said Sheppard.

Sheppard also said that it is important to learn from each other’s experiences both up and down the leadership chain, not just on duty, but in personal life as well.

An example of this idea is defenders mentoring other defenders.

“Defenders to Defenders is a part of the action plan that focuses more on improving off-duty life for Airmen,” said Sheppard. “It’s not enough to be 100 percent in the job; we have to take care of Airmen and their families both on and off-duty. We want to show our folks the path to being as successful as possible, whether that includes having a financial plan, or attending a car-buying class or knowing what family care options are out there.”

Encouraging defenders to improve attention to detail practices also augments an already intense training regime.

“Attention to detail has always been a core pillar of our training plan, including day-to-day training, participating in exercises and getting ready for inspections,” said Sheppard.

Airmen participate in training sessions regularly to ensure they can execute mission requirements safely, securely and effectively.

“Security forces members train by going through procedures and concepts of operations (involving the security of) nuclear weapons,” said Tech. Sgt. Zachary Linton, 341st MSFS NCO in charge of training. “Hopefully this will help Airmen (better understand) what we need to do as defenders.”

Although defenders must maintain high expectations and responsibilities, 341st MSFS Airmen have exceptional morale and remain positive day-in and day-out.

“341st MSFS Airmen are some of the most dedicated, good-natured Airmen I’ve ever seen in carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities,” said Sheppard. “The requirements asked of them in the field of (nuclear deterrence) can be rough at times, but these Airmen take it and are always professional.”