Wing leadership answers CFPF ideas Published July 22, 2014 By Senior Airman Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Caring for People Forum met at the Fellowship Hall here May 9 and submitted the base populace's top concerns for base improvements to wing leadership, which they responded to July 16. This year, the groups representing the CFPF were active duty junior enlisted members, non-commissioned officers, senior non-commissioned officers, company grade officers, department of defense civilian employees and military spouses. "The ideas that are being brought to us from all levels are being heard by our leadership, who really are taking the time to make the morale better," said Airman 1st Class Jebree M. Hinton, 17th Training Wing Legal Office Military Justice paralegal. "To be able to take the ideas of my peers to an event such as Caring for People makes me excited because of the responsibility of it." The number one theme the CFPF presented to wing leadership was communication. Leadership developed several solutions to ensure information is provided to base personnel. The 17th Communications Squadron and 17th Command Post have worked on the AtHoc and other warning systems. The base groups have developed standardized strategic communication and marketing templates for messages. Other organizations have developed newsletters and will also review the use of social media. Another area of concern is fitness center hours and classes. Currently the fitness centers here exceed most bases and the Air Force standard by three and a half hours of operation per week. No instructors are available for weekend classes at this time and additional resources and manpower would be needed to extend the hours and classes already offered. Basic Allowance for Housing, no more blues Mondays and Army and Air Force Exchange Service improvements such as more food options and more free movies also made the list, but are unlikely to change anytime soon for various reasons. Every year the Air Force completes a BAH study, but denied an out-of-cycle study to adjust rates for the rising San Angelo housing costs. However, the current four part study is underway. 17th Training Wing leadership will review Air Education and Training Command and local policies and guidelines for blues Mondays. AAFES has not found any suitable food vendors because of process of approval incompletion or vendors have declined employment. AAFES also currently limits the number of free movie showings per installation. One of the junior enlisted group's concerns was the dining facilities' lines and menu options. "The DFAC usually has long lines, so if I'm in a rush for work I usually can't eat there," said Senior Airman Patrick J.B. Eichamer, 17th Medical Group health service journeyman. "I also wish there were more healthy and fresh meal options." The CFPF proposed separate lines for permanent party and students, but due to limited space and time of operations there is no way to segregate sections. All food within the DFAC is currently color labeled by health rating, and if the junior enlisted would like to see more healthy options they are suggested to fill out comment cards which are located within the DFACs. Permanent party would also like to see more events geared exclusively towards them, which the Airmen Committed to Excellence, 5/6 Council, Top 3 and Company Grade Officers Club professional organizations are collaborating towards. The CFPF also requested water filters for all locations on base, but it is impractical because of initial installation costs and recurring maintenance. Currently the locally provided water meets all safe drinking water standards. As a result of last year's CFPF there are now several water vending machines throughout the base, and the 17th Civil Engineering Squadron is building two new 344th Military Intelligence Battalion funded shaded eating spots at the Western Winds DFAC, which was also a concern of this year's CFPF. "The CFPF is a great opportunity for people to voice concerns to wing leadership and get results," said David F. Sullins, 17th Training Wing community support coordinator. "Granted we can't fix everything because of budget cuts, etc., but what I want people to take away is that leadership listens." This year's CFPF played a part in getting AtHoc changes, social media review, standardized messaging and more permanent party events.
