Security Forces on top with EOCs

  • Published
  • By Lori Burling Alves
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The majority of the 39th Security Forces Squadron at Incirlik Air Base is made up of young Airmen straight out of technical school--and these men and women are proving that youth is shooting the squadron to the top. In 2006, security forces Airmen here scored higher on their end of course training exams than security forces members Air Force wide.

"We have some of the best younger Airmen in all of Security Forces," said Tech. Sgt. Jeannie Trichel, 39th SFS unit training manager. "They are competitive, determined and motivated. Sometimes I don't know how they do it."

On top of working 12-hour shifts to secure Incirlik, security forces Airmen are expected to be in tip-top physical shape, as well as in job performance. To do this, senior leadership supports and pushes job training. The Airmen must complete numerous training programs during their 15- or 24-month tours, including completing their Career Development Courses and passing the EOC exam. After finishing tech school an Airman is working at a level 3 in their career field. The CDC courses include volumes of knowledge pertaining to their career field that an Airman must learn to upgrade to a five- or seven-skill level. Once an Airman completes his/her studies, they must pass a computerized test over the information.

"All Airmen in all career fields coming out of tech. school must complete their CDCs, but here at Incirlik, security forces has the largest group of Airmen working on their CDCs, and some of the highest scores," said Sergeant Trichel.

"The CDC)is vital to the professional development of our Airmen," said Maj. Bryan Gillespie, 39th SFS commander. "First, CDCs build and expand on subjects taught at technical training and secondly they cover items tech. training doesn't have time to teach."

During 2006, 123 security forces members here completed their CDCs and passed their EOC, according to statistics gathered by Sergeant Trichel. Of that 123, 48 percent scored 85 percent or higher and 15 percent scored 90 percent or higher. The 39th SFS average was 83 percent--higher than the Air Force-wide security forces average.

"The Security Forces Air Force-wide average was only 79 percent for fiscal year 2006," said Sergeant Trichel. "Our Airmen averaged four points higher. I think that's because of two reasons--we have really good troops and our supervisors are involved."

Squadron supervisors make an effort to motivate their Airmen to succeed. Many supervisors routinely quiz Airmen during down times, making sure the Airmen are on task with their studies. The Airmen are also expected to complete three computerized pre-tests and three written pre-tests before taking the EOC exam.

"They have to score at least 80 percent on the pre-tests before they're ready for the EOC," Tech Sgt. Trichel said.

Although supervisors provide the much-needed motivation, the success of the EOC scores fall on the Airmen's shoulders.

"Young Airmen are thrown into the fire here," said Tech. Sgt. Amanda Rydel. "Along with the CDCs, they are continuously working on weapons training, force-on-force training and chemical warfare training. Incirlik is a good awakening to the career field ... they either sink or swim. Fortunately, they're swimming right now."

"The EOC exam is an outstanding way of measuring how well our Airman grasps the concepts presented in the CDCs," said Major Gillespie. "I've got to tell you, based on the scores of our security force's Airmen, we have some highly knowledgeable and skilled defenders. Our scores have gone way up across the board and I'm proud of their efforts to excel."