Fairchild hosts Air Force’s first Single Airmen’s Summit, incorporates AFSO21

Published Dec. 21, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Natasha Stannard
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild Air Force Base recently commenced the Air Force's first Single Airmen's Summit. This event not only sets the stage for other bases to follow suit, but for future Summits here. The event addressed issues single Airmen face providing them with a means to come up with probable solutions through Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century tactics.

Issues were discussed in focus groups about community, safety, leisure, family, base support systems, personal growth and work and relationship concerns.

These focus groups turned into an eye-opening experience for many as it introduced already available programs just through communicating with Airmen from different areas on base.

"I'm sure there were Airmen in the room who knew one third of what was available and left there with the whole picture," Chief Master Sgt. David R. Nordel, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Command Chief said. "If an Airman who was at the Summit hears another Airman who has something going on-they turn into the impact person."

The groups pinpointed the most vital and viable issues to repair. Within the focus groups, they voted on the issues they felt were of the utmost concern for their fellow Airmen's well being. Groups used AFSO21 problem solving skills to create solutions to these concerns.

"AFSO21 did very well at preparing us for the presentations. The counselors kept us on track and organized our thoughts and ideas," Senior Airman Marshall Bridges, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron, said.

Each group presented their issue and solution to other focus groups. Once all the groups made their presentations, they voted on the initiatives to determine which 10 presentations would be propositioned to leadership.

The event presented a great opportunity for Airmen to have their voices heard not only by leadership, but also fellow Airmen, whom they normally would not have the opportunity to work with or even meet. This gave them the chance to see that within the many career fields on this base many similar issues are faced.

"It's good to hear some of the issues that Airmen in other career fields face living on or off base," Airman Bridges said.

A common hope peaked across the first four ranks, the hope that these issues and solutions would be viewed and initiated by leadership to not only better the quality of life for Airmen now, but also for the future.

"I really hope the ideas we bring up to the wing commander and to the other commanders will be taken into consideration," Airman Bridges said. "Some of the goals will be more difficult to attain, but if we all work together and keep plugging away at it we could change not only Fairchild, but we can make an impact Air Force wide."

Stephen Pitters, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron social worker, who established the Summit here, saw the Airmen's hopes. He recently presented the concerns of the Airmen to Chief Nordel to brainstorm and research avenues to make Airmen's solutions initiatives a reality.

Chief Nordel said he has to look at each initiative very closely and factor in each possible outcome. Each one has to be filtered to ensure no new problems unfold.

Some will take longer to tackle because they need to go through several channels and higher commands in order to preserve the mission success of the base and Air Force as a whole others, like the dorm management repair response initiative, will be easier to attain and have already taken action. Initiatives such as activity-oriented trips, which are hosted by the Single Airmen's Ministry Center, were established before the event. The Summit in-turn served as a means for Airmen to find out about initiatives already established, Chief Nordel said.

"The challenge has always been that the information is out there, but people may or may not gravitate or focus on it at that point and time," Mr. Pitters said.

This event not only presented a means to manufacture new ideas and discover resources already in place, but it also introduced Airmen to their peer group establishing a sense of community, which is what the Airmen are looking for, said Eddie Steetle, 92nd Force Support Squadron.

Chief Nordel has taken these concerns as a big priority and is seeking to make changes in order to enhance the presence of a sense of community and promote wellbeing base wide.

"This is just a launching pad to do all types of other things, "Chief Nordel said.

Recognizing these issues was only one piece of the equation, overall the event was seen as a success. According to an evaluation survey conducted at the Summit, Airmen enjoyed brainstorming ideas together and the relaxed atmosphere. Various Airmen also said they felt honored and glad to participate.

"It was a fun event, I liked the fact that we could come in our civilian clothes and let our hair down," Senior Airman Angela Sanchez, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said.
Chief Nordel felt that the very act of having the Summit was a success in its own.

"If this would have been a total flop and we would have gotten 10 to 15 ideas that where absolutely undoable, I would have still called it a front end success because of the fact that everybody walked out of that room with community relationships," Chief Nordel said.

Top 10 Airmen's Summit initiatives

Below are the top 10 initiatives brought to light during the Airmen's Summit. These 10 ideas are what those in attendance felt were the most important initiatives to be considered by base leadership.

1. DFAC options - allowing airmen to choose BAS as opposed to being required to eat at the chow hall.
2. 18+ alcohol consumption at on-base establishments.
3. Full-time student options while remaining on active-duty.
4. Discounted tickets and baggage for airlines.
5. On-base housing options for single Airmen.
6. Dorm management repair response enhancement.
7. 24-hour access to fitness center.
8. Dance classes offered on base.
9. Availability of a base shuttle.
10. Seasonal trips.