The 919th Special Operations Wing commander is concerned about providing a workplace where all members can thrive as they work to support the mission.   This program provides a forum for 919th SOW members to connect with senior leadership to share suggestions, comments and kudos aimed at improving conditions across the wing and to receive complete, honest and timely responses accordingly.

Comment/suggestion boxes have been placed at various locations around here and the wing’s geographically separated units. When the questions/comments are applicable wing-wide, they will be published on the home page, and members who provide their name and contact information will be contacted directly.

Here are the comments/suggestions and the commander’s responses for April and May 2016:

Chaplain

Comment:  I would like to see full-time chaplain support at Duke Field.  The benefits are an additional place to channel struggles.  I prefer spiritual guidance as opposed to guidance a social worker would provide.

Response:  The AFSOC command chaplain came up to Duke for a visit just a few weeks ago and this was one of our topics of conversation.  As you point out, there are currently no full-time chaplains on Duke Field on a regular basis although there are occasionally Reservist chaplains on orders during the week.  Chaplains both at Hurlburt and Eglin are always happy to help out, but that entails a lengthy trip each way to seek them out.  We are working to establish a regular rotation of chaplains here at Duke but don’t yet know what this spiritual support will look like.  More to follow on this!

Kudos

Comment:  Please accept this written salute!  Your customer service/ID Card section is second to none.  TSgt. Trevino, SSgt. Paul and SrA Towner each provided exceptional service before self by assisting my wife and I with a replacement ID card.  Although we did not have an appointment, your team took charge and identified the erroneous “terminated” status on my wife’s dependent ID card.  They promptly issued a new card and restored her access to needed medical treatment services.  Truly, they represent the 919th SOW and the Air Force family above and beyond their peers.  Kudos to you and your leadership for setting that standard.  Sincerely, Phillip F., TSgt. (retired)

Response: Thank you! We appreciate the positive feedback. 

GI Parties

Comment:  I understand that Reservists on Duke Field are busy during UTAs, but I feel that commanders/supervisors can enforce a half-hour G.I. party to clean up the exterior of the buildings, particularly the 919th SOFSS building.  A little weed-pulling and sweeping and picking up litter would do wonders.  I am embarrassed to think that retirees and other customers coming to do business at the FSS see how messy it looks.  I see that some of the airmen have a sense that they are above a little maintenance.  Maybe something like this will restore their humility and give them pride in their surroundings.  Maybe a half-hour hour before sign out or before lunch, send everyone outside with a plastic bag and tell them to pick some weeds or trash.  Maybe a few with brooms to sweep entrances.  A lot of folks can do a lot of good in a little time.

Response:   Thank you for your comment.  This is a hot button issue for the 919th SOW command chief.  We are in the process in looking at how we can best implement a schedule for maintenance of our facilities and make it a teambuilding event.  However, using our limited UTA duty time is not normally the best way to accomplish building maintenance.  Pride in ownership of one’s building and workspace is important. It is critical to not only set the proper standard, but maintaining the government property we have been entrusted with.  I will personally come help any unit that is doing one of these projects.  Look for more information coming out on this issue very soon.

d. Fitness Center

The following comment is printed directly as was written on the card.  It does not state which facility or service the author is referring to, I am making an assumption that if refers to the fitness center.

Comment:  As long as I have an I.D. I can use … as per the IG.

Response:  If this is in reference to Duke Field fitness center, this fitness center is not part of Eglin AFB Fitness Center.  It is owned and operated by the 919th SOW IAW AFI 34-226. Retirees, dependents and friends are not authorized the use of this facility due to liability issues as per this regulation.  For the complete rules of the fitness facility please reference the Safety/Responsibility Briefing and Waiver for the 919th SOW Fitness Center.

e.  MPF

Comment: My appointment (ID, DEERS and SGLI) was at 1000 on 3 March 2016.  I’m still in the waiting room and its 1130 hours.  Not sure what the issue might be.

Response:  On 3 Mar 16, there was an issue with DEERS connectivity worldwide. Customers in the waiting area were notified of the issue and were given the option to reschedule or wait until the system to come back online.  If you are a customer and have not been addressed or greeted in a timely manner, please do not hesitate to talk directly with the MPS, Superintendent or the FSS, Director of Operations who are fulltime employees to assist with customer service issues. 

f. AAFES Express

Comment: Smoking on the tables outside the BX entrance should be stopped.  I walked out of the BX and caught a lung full of smoke coming from a smoldering cigarette from ashtray on top of garbage can.  This is an area that has been ignored for too long even if the smokers sit on the far side the overhang holds the smoke and the wind blows it towards the entrance.

Response:  I discussed this with the AAFES Express manager and she agrees.  The area under the overhang will be marked as a non-smoking area and the ashtray will either be moved or changed.

g. UTA Scheduling

Comment: Better coordination of UTA weekend to not overlap important family days such as Mother’s Day.  We spend so much time discussing POTFF and then schedule our IDT over very important family days.

Response:  The UTA schedules are put together initially by the wing staff and then coordinated through the groups.  When we start we gather all holidays, school calendars, sporting events and even the Billy Bowlegs festival to try to de-conflict UTAs as much as we can.  Since Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May, it normally doesn’t interfere with our UTA (which are normally on the first weekend).  There is a conflict when 1 May falls on Sunday which makes the first full weekend also the second Sunday which is when Mother’s Day is observed.   In any event, I agree there are certain holidays we should do our best to work UTAs around and the May 2017 UTA is on a separate weekend from Mother’s Day next year.  This problem shouldn’t happen again until 2022.

h. Fitness Center

Comment: Maybe reconsider the rule restricting members from working out in uniform.  Sometimes it’s nice to be able to get a quick 15-20 minute workout in without changing into PT gear.  I do not see the reason for the rule to begin with other than having a rule just to have a rule.  There is no negative effect I can see to a quick workout in uniform.

Response:  I disagree and at this point I will not be changing the rule.  There is no fitness center or base gym that allows uniforms for working out.  Uniforms are more restrictive on your motion than PT gear and in some cases can possibly lead to injuries.  Also, I personally don’t want to be sitting at the desk next to you all afternoon after you have worked out in your uniform.

i. Wing Headquarters

Comment: I love the new look in the hallway in the headquarters building but I am curious why there is nothing for the civilians.  We are part of the base and never receive any recognition here as they do on other installations.

Response:  I am glad that you like the new areas that highlight our Airman of the Quarter and Airmen of the Year. I think the project turned out quite nicely.  To your point, the wing recently rewrote the OI that outlines the award program, and this iteration allows for the possibility of civilian awards.  If you notice on the displays, there is also room to add a Civilian of the Quarter and Civilian of the Year.  Again, this is something that we are working on how to implement going forward. I agree with your assessment on the important role our civilians play in supporting the 919th SOW mission and look forward to highlighting their contributions in the future. 

2. I apologize several of these questions have a “we are working on it” answer.  I know that is not very fulfilling. I thank you for your patience though and assure you we are working hard to make the 919th an even better place to serve in the days ahead.