MacDill uses technology to inform: Force Management Programs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 6th Force Support Squadron hosted a Defense Connect Online question and answer sessions Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, 2014, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The sessions provided an up-to-date overview of the Air Force's fiscal year 2014 force management voluntary and involuntary programs.

The DCO service is the Department of Defense designated tool for worldwide synchronous and asynchronous enterprise collaboration for the internet protocol router networks. It provides web-based conferencing, instant messaging, white boarding, and application sharing.

"The MPS wanted to ensure all vital information reached every single member of Team MacDill to help service members and their families make informed decisions about their career," said Master Sgt. Adrienna Thompson, 6th Force Support Squadron career development superintendent.

There were over 130 participants combined for all four DCO sessions. There were over 40 questions openly answered for the Officer and Enlisted DCO sessions.

"This is the first time that 6th FSS has used the DCO to disseminate information to the base population," said 1st Lt. Todd Bryan, 6th FSS chief of the military personnel section. "We wanted to make sure that we were able to reach all personnel so we had two sessions each day, one that would accommodate the shift workers as well."

The session was unique because it included a war room team that consisted of approximately 15 personnel that were responding to the viewers' questions. During the DCO, participants were able to ask questions via instant messaging, while 6th FSS personnel responded with answers.

The 6th FSS held four DCO sessions, two to discuss enlisted force management programs available and two to discuss officer force management programs available.

"Force management is a topic that affects approximately three-fourths of our Air Force," stated Bryan. "We believe that it is important to relay this information to MacDill Airmen and we wanted to take all the steps possible to reach everyone with this new technology."