ICBM hot job recruitment

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Bell
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
Maintaining readiness and dominance in the American intercontinental ballistic missile force requires that Airmen in the ICBM business have an unrivaled dedication and desire to serve one's country.

In looking at the special duty of a missile alert facility manager, the people who fill this job have these two qualities, which contribute to the overall success of the force and set the high standards that make the ground missile mission lethal

Right now, the missile alert facility manager career field has highly qualified and motivated technical sergeants and staff sergeants.

But more missile alert facility managers are needed, and recruitment for the job--and fast growth opportunities for those already certified as facility managers--is hot and in full swing.

"Those people who are interested in the missile alert facility manager special duty job should take some of their own time to learn about the role and the application process," said Master Sgt. Joseph Chastain, 341st Operations Group facility manager superintendent.

"To those Airmen who have done the research and think they want to move forward in the process, I am personally available to talk one-on-one with them," said Chastain.

America's ICBMs are ready to launch at a moment's notice. Vital to mission success is the missile alert facility, which houses critical operating equipment.

Among many duties, the main role of the facility manager is to test, manage, operate and troubleshoot this equipment.

Special duty incentives
Facility managers are brought into a four-year controlled tour and are non-deployable with the option to apply for a one-year extension.

Noncommissioned officers who are already stationed at Malmstrom--and know they'd like to stay here--have the opportunity to do so, while at the same time enhancing their careers, said Chastain.

Being able to offer that kind of stability to Airmen and their families is a great incentive, said Chastain.

"A professionally rewarding incentive is that facility mangers play a vital role in keeping the crew out of harm's way. For me personally, that is a tremendous drive to do my job well," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Eberhardt, 12th Missile Squadron facility manager.

"These people are down there doing their jobs and your job is to make sure they can do theirs," Eberhardt said.

A third incentive includes having the time to make career progression moves.

"Not only do facility managers gain new skills that promotion boards like to see, but the job allows lots of time for off-duty education," said Chastain.

"Also, there's time to study for promotion and to make time for Whole Airman Concept activities like volunteer and private organization involvement, which makes your job package look a lot more competitive," Chastain said.

As someone in the job, Eberhardt walks the talk Chastain uses to recruit for the facility manager position.

Eberhardt has been a facility manager for eight months and said he has been able to finish his bachelor's degree and start his master's degree during that time.

He agrees the special duty is great for career development, and personally feels his promotion package will be more visible. In addition, he said he loves the job.

"The professional experience is amazing. Unfortunately, not enough people are aware of this opportunity in the Air Force and we need to change that," Eberhardt said.

When training is final and an Airman is certified as a facility manager they can expect additional incentives to include a $225 per month incentive pay bonus, 14-17 days off per month and base preference and overseas preference after tour completion.

"Take all of these incentives, and look at the promotion rates," Chastain said. "They are at or above Air Force averages, and applicants have a good chance at moving their promotion timeline ahead."

For more information on the missile alert facility manager position, please call 731-4035.