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Enstilling base pride and ownership

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  Scott Air Force Base is home to thousands of residents and thousands more commute in each day. Everyone that is part of the base community is being asked to do his or her part to keep it clean and looking nice.

The 375th Civil Engineer Squadron is spearheading a drive for each person to take the extra step to ensure the base is free of litter and debris.

In recent weeks, members of the 375th CES have been conducting clean-ups at various points around base, and now with warmer weather coming in will increase the base clean-up details.

"It's not just for the engineers," Lt. Col. Edwin Oshiba, 375th CES commander, said. "This is our home away from home. If you saw a piece of trash in your front yard, would you pick it up or wait for someone else to do it? It takes continual effort by everyone to remain at the top of our game, and a key ingredient in that effort is ownership."

Colonel Oshiba added that base pride or ownership extends beyond homes and outdoor areas and hopes the idea of ownership will extend to everyday activities that might normally be overlooked or disregarded.

"It means taking out the overflowing trash in your conference room after an office party rather than asking for a 'special' pickup from the custodial contractor (remember, your tax dollars pay for that extra service)," he said. "It means turning off your office lights and computer monitor when you leave--even for a moment. And it means contacting your facility manager right away when you notice the toilet in your restroom is continuously running, rather than waiting for the 'other guy' to notice it."

By doing these little things, Colonel Oshiba believes it will make Airmen they've done the best job they can, and it may also spread to others around, who may follow the example.

"Ownership also extends to how we mentor and develop our subordinates," Colonel Oshiba said. "Each of us--enlisted, officers, civilians--play a part in the development and nurturing of our team. Let's not forget our role, and continue to look for ways to improve our team. We simply cannot fail in this, as the stakes are too high."