S.A.V.E. with 4th MSG Innovation Forum

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aubrey White
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  As Airmen walk into the office of Lt. Col. Mandy Birch, 4th Mission Support Group deputy commander, they'll see the acronym, "S.A.V.E." up on the wall.

S.A.V.E., which stands for "Simple, Airmen-owned, Value creation, and Every voice respected," is the motto for the group's new Innovation Forum which serves as a medium for Airmen of the 4th MSG to present their ideas for saving time and money.

"Everybody has ideas," Birch said. "If you go to the break room in any unit, you're going to hear people complaining about [why some tasks are performed a certain way], so my advice is to take that complaint and think about what we can do to fix it. Your voice is respected and we want to be able to implement your ideas."

The forum is comprised of Airmen representing their squadrons within the 4th MSG, and Birch as the facilitator. The group meets weekly in order to sort through proposals and discuss how to implement Airmen's ideas.

"People are used to doing things a certain way, but brand new Airmen with fresh eyes may be able to see a manner of altering a method in their workplace that isn't as obvious to others." said Staff Sgt. Brandy Ross, 4th Communications Squadron Innovation Forum point of contact. "We're trying to create a culture where it's okay to come forward with ideas."

Within its first week of business, more than 60 proposals were submitted to the forum resulting in the implementation of new processes for two squadrons.

According to Birch, members of the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron were able to save roughly 10 hours a year by altering their equipment calibration schedule. Instead of having infrequently used tools calibrated several times prior to use, they've moved to a "just in time" schedule which calls for the equipment to be regulated right before it's put to use. Airmen are now taking fewer trips to the downtown area, saving time and money.
Another proposal was submitted by an Airman assigned to the 4th Security Forces Squadron regarding their change of reporting official (CRO) process.

Individuals were previously required to collect several signatures from various locations on base, only to turn in their CRO paperwork to an Airman that would finalize the process electronically. Instead of wasting countless pieces of paper, gas and manpower, the procedure will now be accomplished completely electronically and is projected to save several thousand dollars per year.

"One of our goals is to close the gap between what we need to spend money on and what funds are being cut," Ross said. "If we can clean up certain processes, we can reallocate money to things we're lacking. We need to figure out the best way to utilize our time and resources."

If you ask a member of the Innovation Forum, they'd say no idea is too big or small. As long as Airmen are inspired to save, the forum is there to help.

"Everybody has ideas about how we can work more efficiently but sometimes we get frustrated and feel like there's no way to be heard," Birch said. "Voice your suggestions. We'll capture them and get back in touch with you to find out the details. We want Airmen to know their ideas can be implemented."

Currently, the forum only exists in the mission support group, and although other groups within the 4th Fighter Wing have shown interest in adopting this system, Birch's objective is to perfect processes while maintaining simplicity and use this forum as an example for others.

If you have an idea to propose, fill out a comment card at the Interactive Customer Evaluation site, send an email to 4MSG.InnovationForum@seymourjohnson.af.mil or contact one of the following squadron liaisons:

4th Civil Engineer Squadron

Lynecia Carraway

2d Lt. Nathan Czuba

4th Communications Squadron

Byron Ash

Staff Sgt. Brandy Ross

4th Contracting Squadron

Michael Berg

Master Sgt. Jeremy Hebb

4th Force Support Squadron

Eddie Nunn

Master Sgt. Jennifer Desjardin

Manpower Office

4th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Master Sgt. Leonore Brown

Tech. Sgt William East

4th Security Forces Squadron

Master Sgt. Dennis Kuzel

Tech. Sgt. Rafe Rice