Moody betters lives of Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Douglas Ellis
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Team Moody made an effort to improve everyday life for Airmen by hosting its second Caring for People Forum on May 3.

The Caring for People Forum was initiated in 2009 by U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz to improve the morale and well being for all Airmen.

Moody Airmen and Family members participated in the forum to give input on a variety of base support programs. Many volunteers were excited to have the chance to improve the lifestyle for all Airmen.

"It's a good opportunity to get our voices heard, even from the lowest level," said Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Walker-Potts, 41st Rescue Squadron flight engineer. "It's a good climate for us to go and try to facilitate change."

During the forum, more than 100 Airmen, spouses and other support personnel split into nine focus groups, each on a different aspect of an Airman's life. The topics for each group were: deployment support, family support, schools support, single Airman support, single parent support, special needs support, housing, health and wellness and spouse communications. The groups then discussed the scope of the assigned topics and possible improvements.

After participating in the health and wellness focus group, Walker-Potts felt his involvement was beneficial. "I would like a system that better facilitates the needs of all Airmen and this seems like a good tool to start the process," he said.

The discussion is a way for leadership to receive feedback for review, action and resolution. Following the focus groups, wing leadership was briefed on the nine topics and ways to improve them.

"The Caring for People Forum provides installation commanders valuable and timely information on issues that directly impact the quality of life experienced by Airmen and their families," said Lawanna Barron, Family Advocacy outreach manager. "Airmen's lives will be changed here at Moody and across the Air Force because of the forum."

Changes in the Air Force such as the exceptional family member program coordinator have already been made because of a previous forum. The position is part of the Airman and Family Readiness Center and is now established Air Force wide to better meet the needs of Airmen who have children with special needs.

The discussions took place for most of the day to ensure each group could provide Colonel Billy Thompson, 23d Wing commander, the best possible resolution for each problem. Each issue will be submitted and reviewed to develop a plan to enhance the lives of Airmen and families at Moody and across the Air Force.