JOINT BASE SAN ANOTNIO, 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/live on Lackland but am stationed at Randolph. I have to drive all the way to Randolph for all my medical appointments. Are we really JBSA?
A. Thank you for your feedback. Across JBSA, we strive to afford convenience for our personnel. Air Force Active Duty members may request a Primary Care Manager (PCM) at the location where they work so they do not have to commute to a different operating location for medical care. Additionally, it is highly encouraged that your PCM is at the base where you work for exactly the reason you highlighted—in order to save valuable time and resources.
Personnel can change their PCM through TRICARE (https://tricare.mil/changepcm). Members can also contact Lt Tyler Boyd at 210-652-6101 or tyler.boyd.2@us.af.mil or Ms. Monica Rendon at monica.rendon@us.af.mil for any further questions.
Q. How do we document asbestos exposure in our medical records? The building I work in has asbestos, and my coworkers and I are exposed daily.
A. Thank you very much for your question. JBSA Civil Engineer's inspect, sample, identify and maintain facility reports that track building hazards to include asbestos. Given the age of most facilities on JBSA, it is not uncommon to work in a facility that has asbestos in it. It is most commonly found in flooring, mastic on walls, insulation, and in attics. So long as the material is undisturbed and not airborne it does not pose a health risk to occupants. The question building occupants typically ask is "when will it be removed/abated?" Any disturbed material is abated during renovations or large repairs, or when it has been deemed to be an active risk and encapsulation is not an option. Personnel concerned about potential risks should first speak with their Facility Manager to report or learn about any identified hazards. Facility Mangers will then contact Bioenvironmental Engineering who will perform an occupational health assessment and provide documentation of any identified hazards.
Q. How will the Occupational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform policy work for our wing?
A. Great question! Starting 1 Oct 18, the CSAF authorized Airmen to wear the OCP uniform. Airmen can wear previously owned, serviceable OCPs, or they may purchase new OCPs at authorized Military Clothing Stores. OCPs may be worn with current patches and badges. Currently, Airmen may purchase OCPs at Aviano AB, Charleston AFB, Shaw AFB, MacDill AFB, and Hurlburt Field. On or about 1 Apr 19, AAFES will expand in-store sales of OCPs to additional locations with the goal of OCPs being available for purchase online to ensure we’re able to stay ahead of the 1 Apr 21 Mandatory Wear Date.
We encourage you to review AFI 36-2903, Dress and Appearance, for proper wear of the OCP. In accordance with Air Force guidance, the US flag spice brown color criteria is mandatory beginning 1 June 2020 and all other Air Force patches must be converted to spice brown color by 1 April 2021. The CSAF and AF/A1 provided The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) a priority list for organizational patch submissions: (1) MAJCOMs, (2) Deployed Units, and (3) all others are to be determined. AETC is working with TIOH to produce our MAJCOM patch. If an organization already has an approved official emblem that has been digitized by TIOH, it will be provided to us via the wing history office. If an organization does not have an official emblem digitized by TIOH, the unit should inform the wing history office and work with TIOH and to order the new patch.
Q. Do you have any knowledge of the new Joint Custody codes that has been approved?
A. We researched your question and confirmed that the Air Force is considering establishing a joint custody intent code which would function much like Join Spouse, allowing dual military parents to be stationed together without being married. Unfortunately, there has been no official decision at this time. We will keep an eye out for any updates.
Q. What are you doing to get recognition/quarterly awards for Airmen who aren’t a part of Security Forces?
A. Thank you for your question. Based on the last year of data (previous 4 quarters and 2017 annual), the Security Forces Group won 12 out of 44 award categories--roughly 27%. SFG actually accounts for just over 27% of the 502 ABW population who are eligible for one of the Wing Recognition Program award categories. Statistically SFG accounts for about the right number of awards you would expect based on an even distribution.
There is still an important message behind your perception. The way we in the military capture performance is through written appraisal. Regardless of whether that appraisal is in bullet or narrative format, on an AF Form 1206, or an evaluation report, it falls to leaders and supervisors to ensure appropriate time and care are given to accurately document stellar performance. I can tell you that a key part of the boarding and staffing process, in awards and evaluations, is providing constructive feedback down the chain when performance is not well captured. Crafting performance assessments is a leadership skill and like any other skill, needs to be honed. It is every leader’s responsibility to seek feedback and work to develop this skill.
Miscellaneous
Q. What is your greatest concern and mitigation for the next chapter in the 502 ABW’s history?
A. Thank you for your question. An area I’m focusing a significant amount of time and energy is integrated base defense. The safety and security of our JBSA team is my top priority. To that end, experts from across the wing have been working hard on a number of initiatives. Earlier this year, we realigned squadrons to create a group solely focused on integrated defense and security…the 502d Security Forces Group (SFG), a first for JBSA, and only the sixth SFG in the USAF. We developed plans for gate renovations and security improvements across JBSA, many of which are scheduled to begin construction at the end of 2018. We also took a hard look at our JBSA defense plans and security instructions, updating important processes and procedures. We partnered with off-base local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to leverage intelligence and information sharing and analysis capabilities to better address risk. And, we looked closely at our security forces manpower to ensure we’re posturing forces effectively, and doing everything we can to fill civilian and military vacancies. JBSA’s integrated defense doesn’t stop there though. We need your help too. We need everyone to be mindful of their surroundings, take the right steps to protect resources and information, and report anything suspicious. Remember if you see something, say something!
Q. Does Joint Basing actually work, or are we simply pretending that it does?
A. Thank you for your question. Overall, joint basing is working, but it does have challenges. As a joint base, we have worked to reduce duplication of efforts, consolidate and optimize service contract requirements resulting in lower costs to the government, and achieve greater efficiencies through economies of scale. Joint basing has also provided JBSA the unique capability to surge resources in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, emergency fire responders at JBSA-Camp Bullis, and recent military support to civilian border patrol operations.
However, we recognize gaps and challenges exist and are committed to working towards positive solutions in support of our Joint Base mission partners. We are collaborating with the Tri-Service Joint Basing Team to address the challenges at JBSA. Some of the issues we are working on include service funding and manpower requirements.
Service Funding - Supporting (Army, Marines and Navy) organizations are limited by fiscal law constraints and augmentation of funding rules prohibit joint bases to pool together financial resources to fund certain requirements.
Manpower Requirements - We require special consideration when applying Air Force manpower standards due to multi-service and multi-location missions.
We stand committed to providing consistent and effective delivery of installation support and services while enhancing war fighting capabilities to our Mission Partners.