New evaluation forms revamp Sheppard process inside and out

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As many have already heard, the enlisted and officer's evaluation reports have undergone some major changes which will become effective in August.

Among the changes to AF Forms 910 and 911 that will carry the most impact are the inclusion of fitness scores, digital signatures, and a signature from the ratee. However, the new EPR/OPR system won't just change in terms of format, but also routing for Sheppard, creating a chasm in some work areas and increased responsibilities in others.

An article posted on the Air Force website addressing the changes has generated a slew of responses from people across the service. One change that has caused some buzz is the addition of fitness test scores, not only carrying as much weight as any other aspect of the performance report, but resulting in an automatic referral report if the score is unsatisfactory.

For enlisted whose performance reports are due this August, however, their feet won't be put to the fire just yet.

"At each commander's discretion, anyone who scores less than 75 percent under the new EPR form could get a grace period, a closeout extension on their EPR," said Chief Master Sgt. Felipe Ortiz, military personnel flight superintendent. "It gives people whose evaluation is right around the corner time to adjust. The extension could be as long as - but not more than - 59 days."

Another change to the performance reports is the digital signature feature, which eliminates the need for an in-person, handwritten signature. Now even when one is on leave, TDY or simply gone for the day, approval signatures can be collected in a timely manner.

"It also eliminates the need for FAXed signatures and what's known as 'wet signatures,'" said Chief Ortiz. "No matter where you are, you just open the form in your e-mail and sign it with your CAC card."

On the subject of signatures, one change that's also garnered a few comments on the Air Force website is the new requirement for the ratee's signature. Before, ratees had to wait until after the EPR was on record before they'd even see their marks - or have a chance to contest them. With the new system, a frank, face-to-face discussion clearly defining the ratee's standing and the rater's expectations is necessary before the EPR is filed.

"The ratee gets instant feedback, a chance to know exactly what marks they're getting and why, instead of finding out after the fact," said Chief Ortiz.

Speaking of feedback, the AF Forms 931 and 932, Performance Feedback Worksheets, will still mirror the updated EPR, as they have also been retooled. The sliding scales are gone, replaced by checkboxes identical to the new reports that simply ask if a member complies with standards.

One revision that will have a long-lasting impact - at least here at Sheppard - occurs after the performance reports are marked, written, and signed. With the current filing system, each group's commander's support staff sends the reports to the MPF for processing before it goes to Air Force Personnel Center. With the personnel service delivery system, the MPFs are removed from the process. The group CSS will process the reports, update them, and send them straight to AFPC through the case management system. The MPF will remain in an advisory capacity.

"I'm effectively out of a job," joked Staff Sgt. Adam Radford, non-commissioned officer in charge of evaluations, awards and decorations for the 82nd Mission Support Squadron. "I'll only be needed in an advisory role now, monitoring the CSSs as they adapt."

"CSSs will update reports in system and send them to AFPC for inclusion in the Automated Records Management System, this should expedite the process for getting EPRs in the records," said Chief Ortiz. "We used to update them, scan them and send them to ARMS ourselves. Now it won't go through the MPF anymore; however, the MPF will continue to provide technical assistance to the CSSs."

So the Air Force in general, and Sheppard in particular, can expect changes to the entire evaluation system, the effectiveness of which can only be measured by time.

To read the Air Force article offering more details on the changes to EPRs, OPRs and feedback reports, to include the implementation dates, go to http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123060357.

To read some of the comments people have posted to the Air Force website concerning these changes, go to http://www.af.mil/letters/.