News

Cube initiative comes to the Rainier Wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bryan Hull
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
In an effort to positively impact recruiting, retention and readiness, the Air Force Reserve Command has created a program called the Cube. It provides a model for the 446th Airlift Wing to bring together key individuals to identify and improve manning trends. 

The Cube is made up of four key individuals when it comes to recruiting, readiness and retention: the force support officer, wing career assistance advisor, recruiting squadron flight chief, and civilian personnel liaison. 

“The importance of the Cube is for the success of effective manning efforts in the Air Force Reserve Command,” said Maj. Derrick Young, 446th Force Support Squadron operations officer. “Effective manning meaning faces to spaces with the correct rank and skill level. Recruiting the right people, readiness to get them trained, and retention to keep our qualified folks in the 446th AW – or at least within AFRC.”

While the Cube is new to AFRC, informally it’s been happening at the Rainier Wing for a while.

“The Cube is working perfectly here at McChord,” said Chief Master Sgt. Cherie Rogers, 446th Recruiting Squadron flight chief. “We already had a great foundation of communication, and the Cube just formalized it. We have all the key people in the monthly meetings and the Cube is a great tool to meet any manning challenges.”

The first manning snapshot of the 446th AW was sent to AFRC in October, said Young. The snapshots are sent on a quarterly basis to monitor the manning trends.

“As of early October, the Rainier Wing was manned at 114 percent,” Young said. “But hiring Air Reserve Technicians is still a challenge, due to more attractive opportunities in the civilian sector and Active Guard-Reserve opportunities. Recruiting has been actively advertising the ART program with flyers throughout the wing and briefing at Newcomers.”

According to Rogers, communication is the key.

“ART positions are unique,” said Rogers. “Just because somebody is qualified for the civilian job doesn’t mean they meet all the military qualification. The Cube helps in that communication piece, ensuring the individual is qualified on both sides.”

Additionally, the Cube also helps the wing look at future vacancies.

“We are always looking for qualified people,” said Rogers. “We talk to the career advisor who advises how many Airmen are separating or retiring, and then recruiting looks to hire individuals to fill the upcoming job vacancies.”

In addition to recruiting new individuals, the wing career assistance advisor works to retain Airmen who are already serving.

“When somebody comes in to my office who isn’t sure what to do with their careers, I want to help provide them with options and discuss opportunities they might not be aware of,” said Master Sgt. Michael Sheehan, 446th AW wing career assistance advisor. “My job is to give our members the tools and knowledge they need to be successful.” 

According to Sheehan, it’s not about simply keeping people in the Air Force Reserve – it’s about knowledge.

“One thing I like Airmen to know is be open to change,” said Sheehan. “If you’re not happy with the job you’re doing, let’s find something you like to do. Cross-training or taking on a special duty assignment can enhance one’s career.”

Lastly, Col. Ray Luevanos, 446th Mission Support Group commander, emphasized the importance of AFRC’s ongoing effort to positively impact manning.

“As part of total force retention, the Cube provides a valuable service in retaining corporate knowledge and skillsets unique to our Air Force Reserve Command mission,” said Luevanos. “Even losing one separating Airman, especially one with critical experience, can cripple a unit for an extended period of time. The Cube program ensures that we in the Reserve, and the 446th Airlift Wing specifically, maintain our fighting edge and sustainability for generations to come.”