The White Falcon - 20.05.1961, Blaðsíða 4

4
WHITE FALCON
Saturday, May 20, 1961
Important Changes In Testing And
Classification Announced By USAF
A greater “stripe” and “pro-rating” potential for most
airmen has been predicted by Pentagon officials in an-
nouncing important and widespread changes in classifica-
tion and skill level test procedures.'®'
To the individual, his increased
career chances boil down to earn-
ing a “job well done” from his
supervisor rather than the mere
posting of a qualifying score on
various job knowledge tests.
While Air Force-wide tests for
the 3,5, and 7-skill levels remain
important, major commands now
have certain options for deserv-
ing personnel when formal test
scores are too low.
It was never the intention of
the Air Force to use formal test-
ing as the sole means of deter-
mining skill level, Hq. USAF of-
ficials point out. According to the
officials, the announced changes
would insure that the Air Force
continued to promote the best
qualified people quickest.
Significant changes in the clas-
sification and testing program for
airmen personnel occur in these
broad areas:
(1) redesignation of Airman
Proficiency Tests (APTs) and
Air Force Job Knowledge Tests
(AFJKTs) as Specialty Know-
ledge Tests (SKTs);
(2) computation of test scores
in percentile scores rather .than in
standard scores of the past;
(3) establishment of new quali-
fying scores and allowances for
major air commands to award a
rating of “conditionally eligible;”
(4) changes in the tests them-
selves ;
(5) major command authority
to waive mandatory test qualifica-
tions in certain instances.
The old AFJKTs were used to
test 3-level (semi-skilled) candi-
dates, while the old APTs were
used above the 3-level. It was
felt by many that the term “pro-
ficiency” carried in the test title
obscured an important distinction
between knowledge and proficien-
cy. A person may pass a test,
indicating his knowledge of the
subject, but to demonstrate his
proficiency he must use this
knowledge on the job. Hence, the
change of wording to Specialty
Knowledge Tests (SKTs).
The old standard scores used
as the statistical point that indi-
cated the precise middle of the
tested group, or 50 per cent. Say-
ing the same thing in percentile
system, the new percentile score
of 50 indicates the same middle
point and has the advantage of
being understood numerically
without reference to any stand-
ard.
If a person scores 50 percentile,
it simply means he rates better
than 50 per cent of those who
have taken the test.
Changes in qualifying scores
tvill result in: (1) lower scores
Congressman Gets
SAC Bomber Ride
Rep. Victor Wickershaw (D-
Okla.) inserted in the Congres-
sional Record a statement about
his flight on a Strategic Air Com-
mand bomber on an alert, calling
it “truly one of the most thrilling
experiences of my life.”
“As a member of the House
Armed Services Committee, I
shall strive to enact legislation to
provide extra pay for the air
crews who man SAC’s intricate
weapon systems and to find a
way to provide more promotions
for these most deserving men,”
he said.
generally; (2) in even lower “con-
ditionally eligible” qualifying
scores that can be exercised by
major air commanders.
The old qualifying minimum
scores at the 3, 5 and 7-level were
respectively 85, 90 and 100. The
new percentile minimum qualify-
ing scores at these same levels
are respectively 20, 30 and 40.
Moreover, the 5 and 7-levels
would carry the “conditionally
eligible” qualifying brackets of re-
spectively 20 and 25, 30 and 35.
But major air commanders have
been instructed not to use this
bracket except in considering
such factors as “aptitude mini-
mums for entry into the specialty;
amount of formal training re-
quired for specialty qualifications
and nature of job functions per-
formed in relation to the overall
specialty functions,” the official
announcement said.
(Editors note: The balance of
this article will appear in an early
issue of the White Falcon.)
MATS Thinkers
Establish Mark
During March
MATS became the thinking
man’s command in March.
MATSmen and women set an
all time high in the military sug-
gestion program for a single
month by making 805 suggestions
in 31 days. The March high eclip-
sed the previous mark set in Feb-
ruary by 119 suggestions.
A large share of the credit for
the banner month goes to Travis
AFB, Calif., which came in with
259 suggestions. Idea men at
Prestwick Airport, Scotland, fol-
lowed with 172 proposals.
MATS suggestions—during the
first three quarters of FY 1961
totaled 4,690. These suggestions
resulted in more than million dol-
lars in first year’s savings to the
Air Force, officials said.
The DCS/Personnel at MATS
headquarters is forecasting an es-
timated 12 per cent participation
rate for FY 1961, which will be
well above the 9.3 per cent rate
for MATS and the six per cent
Air Force rate during FY 1960.
The three-quarter mark exceeds
the FY 1960 total by 20 sugges-
tions.
iZcundtup
* By AFPS "
Ronnie Steinhour, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm
team, currently serving with the 1st Cav. Div. in Korea. He once
struck out 133 batters in nine games .... Marine Tom Epps of Camp
Fendleton, Calif., reached the pinacle of golf by blasting a hole in one
on the 350 yeard, par four 11th hole. The only trouble was that on the
next hole it took him eight strokes to sink the little white ball....
Army Lt. Frank Scott of Ft. Benning, Ga., has a wife who knows how
to get her point across. In fact, Mrs. Scott has earned the right to com-
pete in the national fencing championships this summer... .When
service shooters start “cracking ’em” out at the Camp Perry matches
this year, the National Match Course will consist of 10 rounds stand-
ing slow fire at 200 yds., 10 rounds sitting rapid fire at 200 yds., 10
rounds prone rapid fire at 300 yds., and 20 rounds prone slow fire at
600 yds. Qualification scores for this course are: Expert 215x250,
Sharpshooter 200x250 and Marksman 165x250.. . .Former Texas Tech
All-American center E. J. Holub has signed two contracts, one with
the Dallas Texans of the American Football League and the other
with the Army for six months of active duty.
QUICK LOOK—Coach Max Bishop of the Naval Academy’s nine,
has led his team through the first 14 tilts without a defeat. The
previous record for a single season was 12 straight (1946) while the
alltime mark is 16 (12 in ’46 and 4 in ’47).... Vernell Listenbee of
Ft. Hood, Tex., who won the Fourth Army bantamweight, feather-
weight and lightweight titles during the past three years, will soon
be slugging for pay. A vet of 140 fights, Listenbee pocketed a win
over Air Force champion Willie Thomas and runner-up honors in
Interservice competition... .The 1961 USAF Model Airplane Champ-
ionships will be held at Langley AFB, Va., July 11-15... .West
Point’s baseball coach Eric M. Tipton was an All-American tailback
at Duke in 1938... .Richard Fortfenberry of Ft. Bragg, N.C., finished
the overall winner of the Second National Invitational Sports Para-
chute Meet... .Bob Chase, a former Far East Armed Forces bowling
champion, is now a pro kegler who is rated among the top eight
nationally.... Larry “The Crusher” Hamilton, who has over 300 pro
wrestling matches to his credit, is now serving with the Army in
Korea. He and his brother, Reggie Hamilton held the Southern Tag-
Team Champion belt for eight months....At mid-season, AF Aca-
demy baseballer Kent Lammers has swatted the “white apple” for
a mighty .444 clip. His slugging average (total bases divided by
times at bat) turns out to be a hefty .844. In 45 trips to the plate
Lammers has collected 20 hits of which six have been doubles, three
triples and two homers, for 38 total bases.
Second Lieutenants
Getting Protection
Many non-rated second lieuten-
ants are not being given the prop-
er initial duty assignment, Hq.
USAF cautioned all commands.
“Many second lieutenants have
been given initial assignments
which, although not directly viol-
ating assignment policies, have
not been within the spirit and in-
tent of published directives,” a
letter to all major commands said.
“Proper initial assignment of
non-rated second lieutenants can
be an effective means to influ-
ence and motivate these officers
to seek a career in the Air Force,”
the letter added.
The letter also scored these
points:
° Initial active duty assign-
ments of second lieutenants to iso-
lated overseas areas is considered
inappropriate.
° Emphasis must be placed on
using at its proper level the for-
mal education and career interests
of the individual officer.
Laos Situation Stems
from Strategic Locale
Laos, today a focal point of world attention because
of the Communist threat to its independence, is situated
in a relatively inaccessible portion of the Indochinese
Peninsula. ^
Although landlocked, Laos is
strategically important because it
shares borders with Communist
North Viet-Nam, Communist
China, the Republic of Viet-Nam,
Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma.
For generations, the inhabitants
of the Kingdom of Laos, as the
country has been known since
World War II, have lived quietly
in their rugged, mountainous land.
A nation of Buddhists, the more
than two million people have as-
siduously avoided friction both
among themselves and with neigh-
boring peoples.
The Lao people are made up of
many tribal groups. About two-
thirds of the population are known
as “Lowland Lao.” The others are
“Upland Lao,” that is, members
of various tribal groups, includ-
ing the Kha, Man, and Meo, and
are related to the Lowland Lao.
Most of these tribes retain their
own colorful dress and customs,
though they have a long history
of association with the Kingdom
of Laos. Since Laos achieved poli-
tical independence, they all parti-
cipate in Lao political affairs,
electing their local leaders and
sending representatives to the
National Assembly. The national
language is Lao, and many people
also speak French.
Culturally, the Lao people ac-
tively maintain a rich and deep-
rooted tradition. Their art mani-
fests itself mainly in sculpture
for religious and public buildings,
as well as private homes.
Nearly all Laotians are ex-
tremely musical; almost everyone,
rich or poor, plays at least one
musical instrument. Small ama-
teur orchestras abound, perpetu-
ating traditional folk songs and
dances.
Literature, both prose and po-
etry, has its main roots in the
religion of the country. Another
typically Lao literary develop-
ment consists of a series of satir-
ical barbs against society and
some of its most respected pil-
lars, all involving a farcial char-
acter named Xieng Mieng.
Mountainous terrain or jungle
growth over much of Laos’ ap-
proximately 91,500 square miles
tends to keep the population frag-
mented in small, self-contained
communities. The lack of well de-
veloped communications and
transportation systems make con-
Sherrill To Head
Charleston
Wing
Brig. Gen. James C. Sherrill,
chief of staff for the Military
Air Transport Service at its Scott
AFB, Ill. headquarters, is slated
to become commander of the
1608th Air Transport Wing at
Charleston AFB, S. C. in July.
The announcement was made this
week by Lt. Gen. Joe W. Kelly,
MATS commander.
General Sherrill will succeed
Brig. Gen. Franklin S. Henley
who is retiring.
MATS’ 1608th wing operates
C-124 Globemasters and C-121
Constellations as part of the na-
tion’s only strategic airlift force
which moves men and material
from the U.S. overseas for the
Department of Defense.
tact between the communities dif
ficult. There are few roads, no
railways, and only a small numb-
er of airfields that are usable
throughout the year.
A major avenue of transporta-
tion is the Mekong River, which
forms more than 500 miles of
Laos’ western boundary and is
the border between Laos and Thai-
land. Use of the river is limited
to small craft because of nar-
rows, rapids and seasonal fluctua-
tions in water levels.
Subsistece agriculture is the
basis of the Laos economy, with
rice the dominant crop. About 95
per cent of the people derive their
existence from the land. Internal
trade is conducted mainly by bar
ter. The country is almost com
pletely dependent upon import
for manufactured goods, and its
export income totals only $2 mil-
lion to $3 million, annually.
World concern for the Kingdom
of Laos’ independence has been
openly demonstrated since Com-
munist forces from North Viet-
Nam aid after settlement of the
Indochinese hostilities in 1954
54 and allied themselves with dis-
sident, Communist-indoctrinated
elements in Laos.
The latter, who call themselves
the Pathet Lao (Land of the Lao),
continued to receive North Viet-
Nam aid after settlement of the
Indochinese hostilities in 1954
and resisted the Royal Laos gov-
ernment.
After three years of such resi-
stance, the government gave the
Pathet Lao important concessions.
The Pathet Lao nevertheless con-
tinued to seek control of the coun-
try through political maneuver-
ing. When that failed, the Pathet
Lao reverted to the use of force,
with outside Communist assist-
ance.
a
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McGuire Gets Jet
’Strato-freighter'
Maintenance Unit
MATS jet mechanics and spec-^
ialists at McGuire AFB, N. J."
July 1 will be organized into a
special maintenance unit, MATS
headquarters has announced.
The new C-135 unit will be de-
signated the 1612th Organization-
al Maintenance Squadron and will
be assigned to the 1611th Main-
tenance Group at McGuire.
McGuire is slated to receive
first all jet cargo planes in June
with Travis AFB, Calif, scheduled
to receive its initial consignment*
of C-135s later in the upcoming"
fiscal year.
The C-135 “Strato-freighter”
will greatly increase MATS’ abil-
ity to support STRAC forces as
well as boost its own airlift capa-
bility.
In wartime the aircraft will
provide means of rapid movement
of military forces and equipment
to any troubled spot where they
may be needed.
AEROSPACE EVENT
Jan. 17, 1956 — The DOD re-
vealed the existence of SAGE
(Semi-automatic Ground Environ-
ment), an electronic air defense
system.