Information managers provide vital link to valuable data

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carissa Morgan
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  "Hi, I'm having problems with my pay and LES's," said the Airman on the phone. "You need to call finance -- this is information management, we handle things like records management," said the responder in the information management office. 

This happens all the time across the base. The reason for this is because many Airmen do not know what information management is. 

"Information management is the efficient and effective processing and management of information in all media for the base," said Staff Sgt. Shaneen Pearson, the client support administrator of the 36th Wing. "We process, analyze, reproduce, disseminate, collect and create information for a purpose." 

"We also do computer support," said Staff Sgt. La' Tamara Thomas, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 36th Wing Executive Systems Support. "This includes support for software, hardware, printers and user errors." 

Information management is essential on both a base level and an Air Force level. On the base level, information management is important and could cause serious issues if it wasn't here, said Sergeant Pearson. 

For example, when family members want to deploy to the States early they must file a Early Return of Dependants form. If the paperwork is not filled out properly, or is misfiled, the dependants travel could be delayed, said Sergeant Thomas. 

"Wing personnel use information to communicate status and knowledge as well as analyze, direct and control," said Sergeant Pearson. 

Information management is also very important on an Air Force level, said Sergeant Thomas. 

"Without information management, essential information would not be disseminated for the Air Force, which could cause mission failures," said Sergeant Thomas.
The information management career field enhances the Air Force. 

"Processing information that is accurate and timely is critical to making the right decisions, whether they affect operational command or control," said Sergeant. Pearson. "Information management enhances the Air Force in a business sense by efficient use of other available resources." 

Because of its contribution to the Air Force Mission, Sergeant Pearson, who has been in the career field nearly eight years said she enjoys her job. 

"My job has allowed me numerous opportunities to excel in the United States Air Force as an Airman, NCO, minority, leader and a mentor," she said. 

"I find it personally fulfilling to help individuals everyday with computer issues and any other areas they may need assistance with," said Sergeant Thomas. "You get to meet different people and interact with them in this career field," she said. 

"Information is no less a resource than people, money, material and time," said Sergeant Pearson. "Information is vital, therefore the career field of information management is also," she said.