Personnel Reliability Program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With "be ready now" as one of the strategic priorities at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, the Personnel Reliability Program closely monitors Airmen to ensure they are fully qualified to perform duties involving nuclear weapons.   

The program is designed to ensure that each person selected for performing duties that involve nuclear weapons, control systems and equipment is emotionally stable and physically capable, and has demonstrated reliability and professional competence.

Only the individuals who are selected may fill one of the two PRP position types: critical and controlled. Critical consists of bomb crews, aircrew members, explosive ordinance disposal Airmen and communications security personnel; whereas, controlled is made up of all armed security forces, logistics handlers and transport personnel.

To be considered for one of these job positions, the individual must go through a screening process that involves a personnel security investigation, medical evaluation, personnel file review, personal interview, and position qualification.

There are two parts in PRP qualification: administration qualification and interim certification. First, the administration PRP screening process ensures the member meets standards before continuing on to training or being assigned to PRP duties. Second, interim is a PRP status where the individual does not currently possess the required level of security investigation, but meets all other requirements for PRP certification.  

"Pretty much every base performs administration qualification," said Senior Airman Anna Washington, 6th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Medical Treatment Facility PRP monitor. "There are only a few PRP bases where you are actually put on PRP status."

She went on to explain that as the MTF PRP monitor at a non-PRP installation, her job is mainly to keep track of members' dental and mental health records and only advise commanders whether the individual should be qualified or not. 

Although members stationed at non-PRP bases do not have an active status, they are still responsible for their reliability and are obligated to report anything that may degrade their ability to perform the job. 

For more information, refer to DoD 5210.42-Regulation, Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program (PRP), or call the flight medicine section in the 6th Medical Group at (813) 827-9805. They are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.