Tinker depot aims for seamless BRAC transition Published Oct. 26, 2007 By Marti D. Ribeiro ICF International TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Next February, 365 Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center employees will transition from the Air Force to the Defense Logistics Agency. This transition is mandated by Congress as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission's decision to realign the supply, storage and distribution process at depot-level maintenance facilities. The biggest advantage to this transition is that it's going to allow the different organizations to focus on their core competencies, said Brig. Gen. Judy Fedder, 76th Maintenance Wing commander. "DLA's core competencies are supply, storage and distribution, whereas our core competencies are maintenance, repair and overhaul," she said. Unfortunately for all involved, the transition is not as easy as simply switching names. Common Access Cards, personnel records, computer/production equipment and various other assets have to be changed over during the transition. Tinker Air Force Base officials put together a team to tackle this transition head on and work with DLA and the Air Force Materiel Command to ensure a seamless transition. The Air Force Civilian Personnel Office determines who goes to DLA and who stays with the Air Force, according to Elaine Dockray, 776th Maintenance Support Squadron chief, who is also the point-person for Tinker's transition. "We will ask for volunteers first," Ms. Dockray explained. Providing the volunteer option is mandated in the AFMC Memorandum of Agreement with union workers, she added. In conjunction with collecting volunteer names, civilian personnel has already identified the positions that will transfer as they align to the core competencies. Employee notification is scheduled for late November or early December to let them know if they're transitioning to DLA. According to Ms. Dockray, DLA does not plan on cutting any personnel. "It's important to understand that this is a transfer of function only," she said. "Nobody is going to lose their job in this transition." Up to a year after the transition, employees who are identified to transfer to DLA will still have the ability to apply and compete for Air Force jobs like they do today, according to Ms. Dockray. Employees who transfer over to DLA will also retain their "Fit for Life" weekly fitness leave and be able to participate in a tuition assistance program. The Tinker ALC isn't the only maintenance depot going through this transition, the other ALCs at Warner-Robins AFB, Ga., and Hill AFB, Utah, are working through this as well. Warner-Robins AFB transitioned Oct. 14 and Tinker is using their lessons learned to make the transition even smoother when the OC-ALC makes its move on Feb. 3. Hill AFB will transition after Tinker. "In a way, we've benefited in the process by not going first," the general said. "Warner-Robins has had an opportunity to work out some of the kinks for us." General Fedder emphasizes that along with a smooth transition at Tinker, the lessons learned here should be passed to Hill to make their change-over even smoother. While the OC-ALC has held several supervisor and town hall meetings to discuss the transition, the next town hall meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the base theater will host members from DLA and Headquarters AFMC to answer questions about personnel and finance issues as well as any other topic that arises. "The transition is to occur on Feb. 3," General Fedder said. "In my mind, Feb. 2 and Feb. 4 should look the same. It should be a smooth transition." For more information, log onto https://wwwmil.tinker.af.mil /mam/brac/bracfaq.htm.