JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week.
If you have a question or concern, please send an email to RandolphPublicAffairs@us.af.mil using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.” Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.
Personnel Issues
Q. I work across the street from the smaller BX on the training side of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Starbucks there is always great. The employees are always in a great mood; they remember us and our drinks; they’re just awesome! I wanted to know why they can’t have a tip jar? They do a lot and I’m sure they do have good benefits, but having a tip jar would be awesome. Thanks!
A. Thank you very much for recognizing the outstanding employees at our local Starbucks. We spoke with AAFES, who operates the Starbucks at JBSA-Lackland and all of the fast food chains on each installation and the Exchange does not want to compel patrons to increase the monies paid for their purchase with the display of a tip jar.
Again, your recognition of the outstanding service is appreciated and has been relayed to the Exchange leadership for proper recognition. The Exchange encourages feedback on service levels through interaction with store management and through our on-line customer comment program available at Shopmyexchange.com
Q. Why isn’t the flex schedule offered across Joint Base San Antonio? It’s a money saver and morale builder.
A. Thank you for your question. JBSA offers flexible as well as other forms of alternative work schedules, or AWS. Supervisors must consider many variables when determining work schedules that are good for morale and are also conducive to meeting mission needs.
While there are benefits to flexible schedules, they can create challenges that are counterproductive in some organizations, depending on the type of work performed. Employees are encouraged to work with their chain of command on the possibility of implementing an AWS within their unit.
For additional information on this topic, please contact your servicing Civilian Personnel Employee-Management Relations section.
Q. Is there a practical way for reimbursement in driving personal vehicles weekly between our operating locations?
A. Thank you for asking! Our 502nd Comptroller Squadron developed a local Joint Base San Antonio Instruction (JBSA 65-101) that outlines the procedures for local travel reimbursement. We encourage all JBSA employees to work with their supervisors to determine the need for POV travel for official business and to seek proper reimbursement. If you have any questions, please contact our FMF Flight Commander 1st Lt. Sarah Garcia at 210-671-2597.
Installation & Facilities
Q. Would it be possible to get an online reservation system for the cabins at the Joint Base San Antonio Recreation Park at Canyon Lake? What about last minute discounts?
A. Excellent question regarding JBSA-Canyon Lake! The JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake staff have coordinated with base-level IT personnel and the developers of the software used by Department of Defense Outdoor Recreation programs in an effort to offer online reservation capability to guests which we hope to have available in the near future.
There are several technical/online security issues involved and our team is working through each of them now. While we continue to work to offer online reservations, please contact our Canyon Lake Call Center at 830-226-5357 to make reservations.
The park is currently offering various promotions and specials advertised through the JBSA Today publication and the 502nd Force Support Squadron website. I strongly encourage you to visit our unique relaxation destination at JBSA-Canyon Lake.
Q. Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Randolph both have tracks located indoors for running or walking. When will JBSA-Lackland have the same capability?
A. Thanks for your interest in an indoor running/walking track at JBSA-Lackland. Unfortunately, due to size, age and infrastructure challenges, the addition of an indoor track would not be a structurally/financially viable option at any of the six fitness centers.
That said, our 502nd Force Support Squadron team identified a new fitness center in the JBSA-Lackland area plan and if we receive funding for it, we’ll work to ensure the design includes an indoor running/walking track.