AFRC commander visits ARPC

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, paid a two-day visit to the men and women at Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center, here recently.

"I've worked with ARPC throughout my career," Stenner said, "and it's thrilling to have witnessed its growth over the years. ARPC is more than just an organization delivering personnel services it's an operational center. We're taking care of Airmen, their careers, their lives, and their families." The general went on to say that the way the Air Force takes care of its people continues to change for the better.

"We live in uncertain times. I'm aware that the pressures of budget constraints and the sheer global requirements placed on the Air Force Reserve weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of our Airmen," he said. "I am here to assure you that while the Air Force will most certainly look different tomorrow, fantastic opportunities await every Airman today."

One thing that has not changed, Stenner said, is how valued Airmen are to the Air Force mission. "Our Airmen ensure the defense of our great nation. I am proud to serve with each of them every day. And I am very proud of how ARPC has been serving generations of those Airmen."

Over the years, the technology ARPC used to serve Airmen grew from typewriters and mountains of paper to computers and countless digital bits. General Stenner observed: "Today, we are much more interactive and much more responsive," he said. "Airmen expect immediate answers to their questions. I can only imagine how those services will continue to evolve.

"ARPC is doing a great job of getting information to the folks who are performing the Air Force mission and taking care of them as quickly, efficiently and accurately as possible. The more Airmen have their questions answered, the easier it is for them to focus on their mission," he said. "And that's important. We value the professionals at ARPC, and thanks to their experience, the transition to future personnel systems will be easier."

Col. Patricia Blassie, ARPC commander, echoed General Stenner's comments, re-emphasizing the importance for the men and women of ARPC to catch Stenner's vision for the Center.

"We're encouraged to hear first-hand how pleased General Stenner is with our progress concerning transactional work and personnel processes particularly since our move from Lowry Air Force Base last year," Blassie said. "He has entrusted us with a great responsibility to carry out our mission. We're committed to bringing the Center to a level which will serve generations of Airmen well into the future."

General Stenner's full schedule included an enlisted breakfast with unit award winners, meeting one-one-one to discuss pertinent issues and the way ahead with ARPC directors as well as the Center's first command chief, and hosting a town hall meeting for all ARPC personnel to offer insights on the future of the Air Force Reserve.