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Editorial: Evaluating airmen

The long-awaited revisions to the enlisted and officer performance reports — the first overhaul in 15 years — make important changes that will contribute to fairness and accuracy.

The most important of these is that airmen will now be able to review their evaluation before it is filed, giving them an opportunity to correct errors and question unfair assessments before the report becomes part of their official record.

This brings the Air Force in line with the other services and, for that matter, corporate America.

It ensures airmen will be a partner in their own evaluation, rather than simply a bystander. Reviewers will be required to look their subordinates in the eye and tell them how they’re doing — and how to improve. And they will have the opportunity to reassess a particular rating in light of subordinates’ input.

This does not mean the reviewer will have to change the rating — far from it. But every leader knows there are instances when, after a discussion, one’s initial impression might not have been correct. Likewise, airmen will benefit from being heard. And they will have the option to write a response that will be added to the report.

In another change on EPRs for noncommissioned officers, raters are now asked to assess the airman’s off-duty and professional military education and his conduct both on and off duty.

This brings the NCO evaluations in line with the criteria applied to more junior airmen. Again, this improves overall fairness.

Now all enlisted members — including those who should be held up as examples for the younger members of the force — will be held to the same standards.

The new forms, though long overdue, are a huge step in the right direction.