The 917th Wing makes another paperless move

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Customer service representatives in the 917th Wing have completed another step in the conversion to a paperless Air Force.

Hard copies of personnel records normally stored in massive filing cabinets at the wing were sent to the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver, Colo., where they will be scanned into the Personnel Records Display Application database for storage.

The idea of a paperless Air Force is not new. It has been around for many years. Now, due to advanced technology and new programs, the "idea" is being implemented and may soon be a realization throughout the Air Force community.

Views may differ on the new application, but according to Master Sgt. Rick Bingham, 917th Wing, chief of customer service, "managing records electronically is more efficient than having paper copies at hand."

The process of getting the personnel records to PRDA did not happen overnight.

"We actually started auditing records in October to prepare for the shipment," said Sergeant Bingham. "Packing began on April 18th and we shipped on the 23rd. ARPC has received those records and (has already scanned them in the system). The Automated Records Management system (ARMS) database, which is already online, is schedule to be turned off on 29 May."

"The 917th Wing access to the PRDA site for all members should be turned on May 29 and is accessed through the AFPC secure sight through the Air Force Portal," said Sergeant Bingham. "When they get to the AFPC secure site they will click on the PRDA button. Each Reserve servicemember or civilian will be able to access their personnel file."

PRDA is not an update/change system. The system will store electronic hard-copy documents that are in their Unit Personnel Record Group. The service member will be able to pull the actual documents up on a computer and make copies of them for their use.

For example, PRDA will store performance evaluations, award and decorations, enlistment contracts, DD-214s and other documents of that nature.

"All-in-all it's going to be a good thing for members having immediate access to their records," Sergeant Bingham said. "They should be able to access their personnel records from anywhere they have internet access."

"For instance, if a member lives in Dallas, Texas and they need a copy of their DD-214 for a job application, they don't have to wait for me to mail it to them; they can print it out right from home if they need to. Ninety-nine percent of the time this will work out just fine for the member to print the document immediately," said Sergeant Bingham.

Sergeant Bingham is also the base administrator for the 917th Wing and has already established roles within each unit. Commanders Support Staffs will have access for the commanders to all their personnel in their prospective units.

As with most system changes or conversions, procedures may have to be changed or revised to accommodate the new system. The 917th Wing is no exception.

"Our job has now changed in that any documents I receive that would normally be filed in the UPRG now have to be sent to ARPC to be scanned into the PRDA database," said Sergeant Bingham. "We will either scan and email it, mail it, fax it or get it to ARPC by whatever means necessary. But, ARPC will actually be responsible for putting these documents into the PRDA database."

In the long run the new system should have advantages for the Reserve servicemember who doesn't live near Barksdale. If they can log on to the AF portal with a user ID and password or their Common Access Card they can access their records on this website.