Shrinking budget leads to new procedures for training requests

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Schneider
  • AFCEC Environmental Directorate
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Air Force personnel in need of environmental training are required to follow a new set of procedures, which includes uploading authorization requests to eDASH, the Air Force's online tool for environmental policy, procedures and guidance.

The new procedures are largely a result of more stringent approval procedures put into place to address funding restrictions. The multi-level approval process underscores the need for a readily accessible location to submit and manage authorization requests.

"The new process was put into effect to help track requests and authorizations," said Kristen Lynch, the Air Force environmental training program manager. "Due to budget shortfalls and restricted funding capabilities across the Air Force, environmental training will only be approved if the training supports the mission and is required by law, permit or other regulation to meet a compliance requirement or address a compliance risk. There are several levels of authorization required and this system allows us to better track the requestor's approval status."

Environmental training options available fall into three categories: the Air Force Institute of Technology; the Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Training Network and "Other." Individuals who request courses outside of AFIT or ESOH-TN, and meet the criteria and guidelines posted on the site, are required to complete and submit an SF-182, Authorization, Agreement and Certification of Training form. The form is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf182.pdf.

Upon submittal, the request is scrutinized at several authorization levels.

Upon course approval and completion, the student is required to submit the training completion certificate to Lynch via eDASH as well as to his or her supervisor. Students failing to do so are liable for all training costs.

Additional details and training authorization requirements are available on the Environmental Training and Education program page on the eDASH common access card-enabled site at https://eis.af.mil/cs/edash/Web%20Part%20Pages%20%20Programs/Environmental%20Training.aspx.