AFPC opens administrative qualification cell for nuclear enterprise Published Nov. 2, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The Air Force is taking steps to further ensure the safety, security and reliability of nuclear weapons by standing up the first central Personnel Reliability Program Administrative Qualification Cell under the Air Force Personnel Center last month. The PRP is used to select and maintain individuals who are certified to perform specified duties associated with nuclear weapons, materiel and equipment. The cell will streamline the PRP Administrative Qualification process to ensure personnel, security and medical reviews for PRP positions are consistent and meet personnel standards before assignment. "Our nuclear-experienced medical and personnel experts will assess members selected for PRP positions and coordinate with commanders to qualify them for nuclear-related duties," said Michael Morris, Director, Nuclear Integration. In line with leadership's priorities, the Air Force continues to place emphasis on the nuclear enterprise by providing increased resources to support, train, develop and retain members of the nuclear community. The Air Force has conducted a number of in-depth reviews of nuclear programs and processes to increase effectiveness and productivity. During one review, the Nuclear Oversight Board identified an opportunity to improve the PRP administrative qualification process. "Air Force senior leaders challenged the nuclear enterprise to establish a process that would ensure personnel identified for PRP positions were screened earlier and more effectively in the assignment process," Morris said. The cell integrates PRP administrative qualification more closely with the assignment process, allowing both functions to be housed under one roof for the first time. This centralization enables the cell to reduce manning gaps by discovering disqualifying factors and determining assignment reselects earlier in the process. "The cell is comprised of 16 hand-picked volunteers who are experts in their functional areas and in the PRP administrative qualification process," Morris said. "Thanks to efficiencies implemented when developing the cell, what once required the equivalent of 50 people across the Air Force to do will now be accomplished by 16 people." The cell will take on the PRP administration qualification workload of specific major commands over the course of the next eight months with full operational capability slated for May 2016. During this time, the cell will reduce the workload for commanders and support personnel by completing all of the PRP security, medical and personnel screening and making recommendations to gaining commanders. For more information about Air Force personnel programs go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following these instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website.