June 9, 2014, WASHINGTON (AFNS) – During the past year, Air Force leaders have been shaping a new and more comprehensive Air Force evaluation system for officers and enlisted Airmen.
The new system is designed to better meet the needs of the Air Force and Airmen, differentiate more effectively between good and great performers, and value job performance first and foremost, Air Force leaders said.
One change Airmen asked for was an improved feedback process, and the Air Force delivered.
The Airman Comprehensive Assessment, or ACA, is now available, for both officer and enlisted Airmen, according to a letter to Airmen released by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody.
?The form facilitates a purposeful dialogue between supervisors and the Airmen they lead,? they stated in the letter.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of communication between supervisors and team members.
?We must get this right. Proper feedback is the most important element of a strong evaluation system.?
In a recent Roll Call, Cody said all Airmen need meaningful and purposeful feedback to reach their full potential.
?The importance of feedback is not new to our Air Force,? he said, ?yet we often struggle to capitalize on this opportunity to strengthen our team.?
?We all need feedback, and we need it often ? it enables us to accomplish great things for our nation, as individuals and as a team,? Cody said. ?It?s one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement ? it is essential to winning the fight, strengthening the team and shaping the future.?
The new AF Form 931 (airman basic through technical sergeant) and AF Form 932 (master sergeant through chief master sergeant) replace the current versions of the performance feedback forms and are a major step toward launching a new enlisted evaluation system.
The AF Form 724 will replace the current version of the officer performance feedback, aligning it with the current officer performance report.
?When you see the new feedback form hit the streets, that will be the first signal to our Air Force that the evolution of the enlisted evaluation system has begun,? Cody said. ?We will let (the feedback form) be in the field for about six months before we begin to phase in the changes to the enlisted evaluation system.?
The ACA will open more in-depth, two-way communication between rater and ratee and include a self-assessment, a detailed evaluation of expected and/or current performance, and specific discussion areas/questions, like personal finances and relationships.
?It?s not in a judgmental way, but we are going to talk about the implications of (finances and relationships),? Cody said. ?We cannot have those things impact an Airman?s life down the road because we failed to talk about them.?
“We?re excited about this first step, and we hope you are, too,? Welsh and Cody said. ?We are moving out in the right direction. We need a strong commitment from each of you to sustain this purposeful momentum going forward.?
To view the memo released by senior leadership click here.