Airmen, spouses attend Caring for People Forum

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  More than 100 Airmen and spouses attempted to change the Air Force culture during the Caring for People Forum at Hoban Hall here May 20.

The forum, held annually at Air Force level, is an opportunity for bases to bring issues to the attention of those that can make a difference.

This event marks the first year that Barksdale has hosted an event to receive feedback directly from the men and women who are affected by the issues that are discussed at the Air Force level.

"The last two years they only sent a few representatives from each base with information based on what those individuals were seeing in their organizations," said Stephanie Reyes, 2nd Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief. "However, this year we are getting the information straight from the people."

The volunteers were broken into eight working groups, which consisted of issues including; deployments, family, healthcare, school, the Exceptional Family Member Program, the Reserve component, single Airmen and spouse support.

Each group spent the morning discussing various concerns related to their team's topic. At the end of the session, each group was given the opportunity to present two issues to the forum, the forum would then vote on the top 10 issues to be sent on to the major command and Air Force levels.

"With an event hosted at base level, we can vote on our 10 biggest issues that we are having here at Barksdale," said Susan Lear, Caring for People Forum coordinator. "A lot of the issues Airmen here might be having could be the same across the rest of the Air Force."

According to Mrs. Lear, the concerns voted on by the forum may make a difference for all Airmen across the globe.

"This has the potential to actually change Air Force policy or Air Force Instructions, to improve the quality of life for Airmen and their family members," she said.

Many of the Airmen who participated felt they were an important part in change.

"At first I felt like I really didn't have anything to complain about," said Capt. Karen Mock, 2nd Bomb Wing executive officer and forum participant. "But after listening to everyone else and realizing we all have the same common problems, it made me realize I'm not alone when it comes to the problems I face."

Mrs. Reyes hopes to continue hosting the forum in future years and encourages Airmen to get involved in the future.

"Their opinions do count and they can make a difference, not just for Barksdale but for the whole Air Force community," she said. "I think they'd find that its exciting to be a part of change."

The Caring for People Forum at Air Force level is set to be held later this summer.