"WHAT IS AN HRDC?" A conversation between Cols. Elwell and Bly Published March 16, 2009 By Col. Bryan J. Bly, Vice Commander 911 AW Pittsburgh IAP ARS -- [The hall of 911th Headquarters, around December 2008] "Yo Bly, new guy, you are the HRDC Chairman. It's time for a meeting." [Col. Gordon H. Elwell, Jr., 911th Airlift Wing commander] "HRDC? What is an HRDC? Another meeting? Wait a minute, isn't that an EEO thing? Diversity? History Remembrance Day Committee?" [Col. Bryan J. Bly, 911th AW vice commander] "I'm sure Tom Kittler (previous vice commander) left you a binder with complete details. Read, learn, and meet your team." [Col. Elwell] "Aye sir, I'm on it." [Col. Bly] ---------- [Three months later] --------------- "Alright Bly, update me on the HRDC. What have you learned?" [Col. Elwell] "Well boss, I learned a lot. The HRDC is the Human Resources Development Council, and our charter comes directly from General Stenner, Chief of the Air Force Reserve. We work for you to support AFRC's HRDC purpose, 'to advise and make recommendations...on any and all matters pertaining to human resources within the Command.'" [Col. Bly] "That is pretty broad, and a little vague. What else does AFRC have to say about their HRDC purpose?" [Col. Elwell] "The overall goal is to create and maintain a fully developed, skilled, and diversified work force. How do we go about that task? By giving 'Reservists and civilian members...all of the opportunities that will enable them to maximize their potential, in accordance with the needs of the command.'" [Col. Bly] "O.K., so you build an HRDC. What is their mission?" [Col. Elwell] "The heart of the matter is in our mission statement. 'To advise and make recommendations to the Wing Commander on any and all matters pertaining to human resources within the 911th AW. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: work force development, diversity, and career development, retention, recruitment, and promotion opportunities.'" [Col. Bly] "And who is on the HRDC team?" [Col. Elwell] "Well, you are dealing with the people of the 911th, so you should try to represent all the bases. Let's see, we have 15 ranks to choose from, two sexes, three variations of work status, several racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, three Groups and ASTS, and we probably should have some core members, like the Wing Exec, Command Chief, Military Equal Opportunity, Judge Advocate, Family Support, Public Affairs and Recruiting. That should make a nice, balanced group so all voices will be heard." [Col. Bly] "So you have an HRDC team in place and a mission. What have you done for me lately?" [Col. Elwell] "We sent two of our enlisted women to the "Women in Aviation International" conference in Atlanta last month. They volunteered to work in some booths, learned a lot, made some professional contacts, and represented the 911th very well. They were perfect ambassadors (work force development). One of our young officers will attend the RODE (Reserve Officer Developmental Education) course next month (career development). We have at least one deserving airman ready to interview for an officer billet in the Logistics Readiness Squadron in May (promotion opportunities). During the February Unit Training Assembly, Mr. Lee Floyd spoke to a standing-room only crowd in the chapel on "Time of Change" for "African-American History Month." Word from the team is he is an excellent speaker and our audience really enjoyed his speech (diversity). We have some excellent suggestions from our young Airmen about scheduling activities on Friday and Saturday nights on UTA weekends to provide an alternative to the club, such as movies or card tournaments. Some of the younger members from outside of the commuting area do not look forward to UTAs because of our lack of 'night life' opportunities. We're working on those, as well as an Airman's Call with the Command Chief in May. We also want to set up a 'Rising Six' council for our enlisted Airmen (retention). We are looking at getting CAC readers for home use for all Wing members who want one, so they can access military e-mail and servers from home (retention). We're brainstorming recruitment opportunities since we are not able to host an Air Show this year, but I'm sure this team will come up with something." [Col. Bly] "It sounds like they are on track." [Col. Elwell] "Certainly are. They are quite a team, and they are responsible for our most valuable asset on base. They put the HUMAN in HRDC." [Col. Bly]