Have you ever driven down a highway and thought to yourself, “Boy, there’s a lot of trash in this area, this must be a bad part of town where no one cares?”
Have you ever walked up to a building and seen debris in the corners of the parking lot or in the mulch beds at the entrance? Have you ever driven onto a compound and seen newspaper littering the fence line? It probably made you think, “This place should look better” or “who’s not doing their job?” More importantly, how did it make you feel? I would expect that it made you wrinkle your nose and feel disappointed; maybe even disgusted.
Many research studies show the importance a clean, organized and well-maintained work environment has on an organization’s morale and productivity. These studies describe how workplace environments directly influence employee motivation and subsequent performance. In today’s world, organizations are challenged to create work environments where people enjoy what they do, where they work, and are proud of it.
For the military, the work environment goes beyond office furniture and interior finishes, into the realm of overall base appearance. The U.S. Air Force is the most powerful Air Force in the world. Our weapon systems are uniquely sophisticated and stand generations ahead of the closest competitor. To ensure mission accomplishment, Air Force installations must resemble our high standing and subsequently must be cared for — neat, clean and organized.
Orderly base appearance is a herculean task. There are nooks and crannies all over an installation. Controlling the trash and debris that makes its way into these hidden holes is overwhelming, and frankly requires everyone’s conscious effort. Everyone can contribute and everyone can make a difference. Moreover, true success can only come when everyone works together.
As a young officer, I remember another military member pointing out to me how they had spotted litter (a soda can) sitting by the sidewalk. They elaborated on how they had seen it every day in the same place for five days in a row. As I talked to this individual, all I kept thinking to myself was, “why didn’t he just pick it up when he first saw it?”
Ensuring a military installation presents itself in the most organized and professional manner is no easy task, and not one that can be done without the investment from each and every member of our community. This is your military installation. Be proud of it. Take care of it. And make it better. This starts with each of us making a direct contribution to base appearance.
How do you contribute? Well, the new 86th Airlift Wing Base Pride program is a start. In the Base Pride program every unit/member has an area of responsibility. It’s a “divide and conquer” approach that will definitely improve base appearance. But, base appearance can be even simpler than that. The next time you see trash on the ground, pick it up. The next time you walk by garbage blowing in the wind, grab it. The next time you see someone litter, say to them “Hey buddy, don’t do that!”
I have the upmost respect for the country and the Air Force that I serve. I’m equally proud of the installation I’m assigned to and its mission. I would expect that is the case for most folks assigned to the KMC. To show it, I challenge each of you to take pride and ownership in base appearance. Contribute and make things better — simply, pick it up!
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News for the Ramstein, Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl & Baumholder military communities in Germany 
Have you ever driven down a highway and thought to yourself, “Boy, there’s a lot of trash in this area, this must be a bad part of town where no one cares?”
Have you ever walked up to a building and seen debris in the corners of the parking lot or in the mulch beds at the entrance? Have you ever driven onto a compound and seen newspaper littering the fence line? It probably made you think, “This place should look better” or “who’s not doing their job?” More importantly, how did it make you feel? I would expect that it made you wrinkle your nose and feel disappointed; maybe even disgusted.
Many research studies show the importance a clean, organized and well-maintained work environment has on an organization’s morale and productivity. These studies describe how workplace environments directly influence employee motivation and subsequent performance. In today’s world, organizations are challenged to create work environments where people enjoy what they do, where they work, and are proud of it.
For the military, the work environment goes beyond office furniture and interior finishes, into the realm of overall base appearance. The U.S. Air Force is the most powerful Air Force in the world. Our weapon systems are uniquely sophisticated and stand generations ahead of the closest competitor. To ensure mission accomplishment, Air Force installations must resemble our high standing and subsequently must be cared for — neat, clean and organized.
Orderly base appearance is a herculean task. There are nooks and crannies all over an installation. Controlling the trash and debris that makes its way into these hidden holes is overwhelming, and frankly requires everyone’s conscious effort. Everyone can contribute and everyone can make a difference. Moreover, true success can only come when everyone works together.
As a young officer, I remember another military member pointing out to me how they had spotted litter (a soda can) sitting by the sidewalk. They elaborated on how they had seen it every day in the same place for five days in a row. As I talked to this individual, all I kept thinking to myself was, “why didn’t he just pick it up when he first saw it?”
Ensuring a military installation presents itself in the most organized and professional manner is no easy task, and not one that can be done without the investment from each and every member of our community. This is your military installation. Be proud of it. Take care of it. And make it better. This starts with each of us making a direct contribution to base appearance.
How do you contribute? Well, the new 86th Airlift Wing Base Pride program is a start. In the Base Pride program every unit/member has an area of responsibility. It’s a “divide and conquer” approach that will definitely improve base appearance. But, base appearance can be even simpler than that. The next time you see trash on the ground, pick it up. The next time you walk by garbage blowing in the wind, grab it. The next time you see someone litter, say to them “Hey buddy, don’t do that!”
I have the upmost respect for the country and the Air Force that I serve. I’m equally proud of the installation I’m assigned to and its mission. I would expect that is the case for most folks assigned to the KMC. To show it, I challenge each of you to take pride and ownership in base appearance. Contribute and make things better — simply, pick it up!