Air Force foundational competency Developing Ideas group on latest “The Air Force Starts Here” podcast Published Oct. 25, 2021 By C Arce Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Episode 57 of “The Air Force Starts Here” podcast focused on the third group of the Air Force foundational competencies – Developing Ideas. The Air Force has identified 24 Airman’s foundational competencies as part of a systematic competency-based approach to develop the force. These foundational competencies are categorized into four groups: Developing Self, Developing Others, Developing Ideas and Developing Organizations. “We define a competency as a combination of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics that manifest themselves in observable and measurable patterns of behaviors,” said Jamal Qaiyyim, foundational competencies branch chief at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command. In this episode, Qaiyyim shared his insight on ways the A3/J team creates road maps for Airmen to better prepare them for the future. “We need our Airmen to be capable of solving simple problems, complex problems and irregular problems,” Qaiyyim said. “We need our Airmen to find more innovative ways of getting the job done.” He was also joined by Lt. Gen. Clinton Hinote, deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements at Headquarters Air Force. Hinote discussed how Airmen continue to use this competency to prepare the force for the future, referring to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown’s mandate to Accelerate Change or Lose. “The Air Force of today will not be the Air Force that wins tomorrow,” Hinote said. “I’m also confident that Airmen have the ideas on how we should fight in the future so that tomorrow’s Airmen will be effective in their time.” Listen to the podcast here. Airmen who want more information on the Airman’s Foundational Competencies and to participate in a self-assessment can log in to MyVector and select Air Force Competencies from the main menu. This tool allows them to request feedback from their supervisors and/or 360-degree feedback from subordinates, peers and higher-ranking members. Also, the member is provided links to educational resources to address areas for improvement.