United direction
DPO and DPA to merge

PERSONNEL management in the Air Force will take a new direction from September 1 with the merger of DPO and DPA.

The combined directorate will be the Directorate of Personnel - Air Force (DP-AF), and will manage all members up to and including the rank of wing commander.

A second directorate, the Directorate of Personnel Executive Review and Development (DPERD-AF), will be created to manage executive review functions, cultural alignment, and personnel management administration for group captains and air rank officers.

The changes are part of the ongoing work to further the themes of the Air Force personnel management strategy. Central to the restructure is the strengthening of the partnership between commanders, individuals and Personnel Branch. The new arrangements will provide commanders with a “one-stop shop” for discussing personnel issues.

Better processes and standardisation of management across ranks, trades and specialisations will help Personnel Branch to identify and respond better to people’s needs and to Air Force requirements.

The restructure will help the branch to maximise the benefits of other initiatives, including People Central and PMKeyS Self Service. Watch for further details in Air Force News and on the Defweb.

Board thanks

The 2005 Series Officer Promotion Boards were conducted by DPO-AF from March 8 to May 6 and priority for Promotion Board membership was again afforded to officers “in the field”.

DGPERS-AF and DPO-AF extend their thanks to commanders who released officers for board duties and the officers who committed time to perform board member duties during a period of significant operational activity.

Detailed information on the 2005 Series Promotion Boards has been placed on the Air Force People Central web site. Information can be found on the Promotion Board structure, presentation of candidates and post board administration.

Because of our excellent retention, promotion vacancies are somewhat less than in the past for some specialisations. However, Personnel Branch will continue to work to ensure a healthy promotion flow.

.