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Scott AFB moving forward on services initiatives
Posted 12/19/2012 Updated 12/19/2012
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by Karen Petitt
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
12/19/2012 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Force has named Scott AFB as one of eight test bases for implementing its Services Transformation Initiative which aims to tailor how traditional morale, welfare and recreation programs are delivered.
Headlining the transformation efforts here focuses on how the Scott Club will function, and in designing and providing for a community commons area. In addition, the transformation effort calls for divesting the base of programs that are no longer needed or that can no longer be sustained due to fewer resources, and work to partner with the community to bridge any gaps in services that may be affected.
Maj. Russell Callaway, 375th Force Support Squadron commander, explained that the Air Force initiative came about due to continued reductions in funding and a steady loss of self-generating revenue for many base programs. But, it's also come about because base demographics and missions have changed, as well as more robust communities outside the gates of most bases that offer the same, or more, MWR programs for servicemembers.
"I'm sure we can all understand that some bases are remote and require robust MWR functions to support the missions, while other bases may not require such a robust posture because there are many activities offered by the surrounding communities," he said. "Also, the needs of today's Airmen may not be the same as those from 20-30 years ago, so everyone is looking at how to keep our programs thriving in today's economic and social realities."
The Scott Club
With new management in recent years, the Scott Club has made significant improvements in operating in the black, yet the needs of the base have evolved and so management is looking to turn the club into more of an events-focused facility. The overall focus of the plan is to improve the club's functionality as a place for Airmen and their family, friends, and co-workers to celebrate while preserving the ability to support heritage functions.
Gary Gordon, 375th FSS Deputy Director, explained more about the Services Transformation changes to the Scott Club.
"Currently, our lunch time operation moves from room to room based on functions being held in the club. But, we plan to use the current Enlisted Lounge as the permanent location for lunch. In addition, we plan to emulate industry leading businesses for a new lunch menu and service operation template.
"Another operational change is the consolidation of the Officers and Enlisted Lounges. This consolidation is financially based and needed to maximize the use of Airmen's dollars. Airmen dollars are non-appropriated dollars and fund a significant part of all FSS programs and activities.
"By making these changes, our current Bread Works operation will close and we'll use that space instead as our Special Events staging area. The staging area will streamline our process and allow us to improve timeliness of service for both official and unofficial events. Special events are the cornerstone of club operations and have the greatest effect on the bottom line."
Community Commons
The main idea behind the community commons is to align programs more closely with each other so that it's better used as the on-base hub for socializing, recreation and daily living activities. Many programs have taken a cut in manning and funding, so "right-sizing" is required, said Callaway.
Right now the base leadership is looking at the building that houses the education center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, and Student Union. This building also houses the post office. Some ideas that have emerged are to relocate the library, Outdoor Recreation and the Arts and Craft Center there.
No final decisions have been made because any relocation effort depends on funding to do so. Right now, base officials are working on a design plan based on funding the Air Force plans to provide, which may require a phased approach to the relocation.
"We must reduce our footprint, so the idea is to move a smaller library to the commons ... and by doing so we can have it be more accessible for those who use it--mostly college students and family members," said Callaway. "We also want to move outdoor recreation to be collocated near the Ticket and Tours office. It's been proven that sales have increased simply by moving them to this side of the base, and we feel it will help the outdoor recreation's activity program do better, too. We've assessed the arts and crafts activities as well, and we feel that they would also be better served in a commons environment."
He said they are still determining how much of these activities could be moved, and the timing is yet to be determined.
"Right now our message is that we are working this effort for the Air Force to see how it could work here ... and for other bases similar to size and mission," he said. "So far, the only activity that we've cut has been the aero club and that is because we just couldn't afford to keep it viable. We have no funding that is required to maintain the program and there are several private aero clubs in the area that can provide the needed ramp space for those interested in this activity."
Community partnerships
With more than 75 percent of Scott's Airmen living off base, Callaway said it just makes sense to re-evaluate what is being offered.
"We've opened up the golf course to the public and that has helped, but we still need to generate more revenue to keep it operating. We can say the same for the bowling center or some of the other programs we run as well. We're not the only ones looking at this either. For instance, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service will no longer be showing movies at the base theater due to lack of use and the exorbitant cost it will require to upgrade to digital, but we still plan to keep that facility open for general use."
Callaway said that while a portion of the required funding has been approved, they are still working with designers and plan to announce timelines for implementation at a later date. The other bases identified in phase 1 of the transformation initiative are: Joint Base Andrews, Washington D.C.; Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; FE Warren AFB, Wyo.; Luke AFB, Ariz.; Moody AFB, Ga.; Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and Tinker AFB, Okla.
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