Local unit keeps Air Force personnel at NATO connected Published May 1, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Regina Brewer Joint NATO Command Branch RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The Joint NATO Command Branch is located in Stuttgart-Vaihingen as part of the 431st Air Base Group. The branch is comprised of one officer and six enlisted personnel. Its mission is to maintain superior MAJCOM personnel support to the Air Force members serving the NATO mission. The branch provides personnel support to approximately 1,400 active-duty Air Force members assigned to more than 31 NATO locations and 17 senior raters.The personnel support includes conducting management level reviews for Allied Command Operations, announcing and managing Air Force special trophies and awards, enlisted and officer developmental education, Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotions, force shaping and maintain command records. The purpose of the office is to provide a performance-based differentiation to assist central selection boards in determining who is best qualified for promotion. "We transmit the advisory messages outlining general MLR information, initial number of eligible, number of definite promote allocations by senior raters, and travel advisory," said Master Sgt. Moria Saack, Joint NATO Command Branch Promotions superintendent. This message is designed for planning purposes and gives each SR an approximate allocation of DPs. "We also perform quality review of all records of performance, duty qualification history briefs and promotion recommendation forms," said Sergeant Saack. In addition, they organize records for presentation to the board, screen information for presentation to the board, transcribe scores and verify their accuracy, account for rescored records, answer administrative questions, maintain the order of merit established by the board members' scores, and follow standard written procedures governing the administrative support for the boards. The Air Force Special Trophies and Awards program recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the success of the Air Force and Department of Defense mission. The Joint NATO Command Branch announces and manages Air Force special trophies by reviewing, analyzing and disseminating guidance on implementing personnel management policies and directive to associated agencies. "This ensures senior leadership is in compliance to verify achievements and nominate those qualified for appropriate awards," said Senior Master Sgt. John Sprakties, Joint NATO Command Branch superintendent. The branch members' role in the developmental education programs is to provide information regarding senior and intermediate developmental education designation process. They ensure senior leadership is aware of their responsibilities in the process, eligible officers under the correct senior rater and provide additional assistance as required. This will allow senior leadership to focus on the stratification and specific IDE/SDE program recommendations. The STEP program is used to reward outstanding, deserving Airmen who work hard and perform superbly but have difficulty with promotion testing. The branch outlines the STEP submission and selection process, as well as, solicit and suspense senior leadership for nominations. It performs quality review of the nomination packages and ensures timely submission. "These elements of support allow us to effectively and consistently accomplish the mission while reflecting on the importance of supporting the Air Force and NATO as their missions evolves," said Sgt Sprakties. For more information, contact DSN 314-430-8593 or NATO/A1P@ramstein.af.mil.