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Recognition week to boost public service awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Altus AFB observes Public Service Recognition Week, beginning May 4, to educate base personnel about the many ways civilians serve in government. 

Leadership Altus Air Force Base Class of 2009, a civilian leadership and professional development class of emerging leaders at Altus AFB, hosts a luncheon May 8 to recognize five 97th Air Mobility Wing civilians for their exceptional contributions to the unit mission.

"It's important to let people know what public servants do," said Boone Nicolls, 97th Air Mobility Wing Inspector General and president of LAAFB Class of 2009. "As we celebrate PSRW we hope there will be people who will catch a vision of how they can serve their country and how they can apply themselves to a career that's just as patriotic as joining the military." 

Storyboards that illustrate the extent of the civilian work force on base are posted at key facilities, such as in the 97th Force Support Squadron building, commissary and base exchange. The leadership class also learned about civilian service during tours of various base agencies.

"They've seen how various units contribute to the mission and how the individuals make up the whole. Everyone working together makes the mission happen," Mr. Nicolls said. "When personnel in the squadrons and units have seen the LAAFB class touring the various facilities and work centers, there has been an increased awareness on both sides of how different people, military and civilian, make up the workforce."

Although this is the first year Altus AFB has officially participated in Public Service Recognition Week activities, there are plans for future leadership classes and other organizations to continue to promote and celebrate public service.

"We hope more people become more aware of the services that public servants perform, the young men and women in our community can consider a career in public service," said Mr. Nicolls. "They have opportunities to serve right here in their hometown, or travel to other areas, even around the world."

Career fields once predominately manned by military personnel are now sharing the workload with a capable civilian work force.

"We have a broad range of civilians working on base such as pilot instructors, medical personnel and fire fighters," Mr. Nicolls said. "There are many civilians who contribute to the mission. We've become an integral part of Team Altus and are serving shoulder to shoulder with our military warriors."

Lt. Col. Michael Babyak, 97th Air Mobility Wing director of staff and 20-year Air Force veteran remembers a time when there were fewer civilians.

"Twenty years ago we had about a five-percent civilian work force and now we have about a 50-percent work force," the colonel said. "It's been a dramatic change in the fact that we now have consistency in several key positions throughout (the Air Force). It provides a lot of stability while deployments continue to rise."

Recognizing the increasing contributions of civilians will become more prominent as the Air Force ethos continues to evolve.

"You always want to recognize people who do outstanding work," said Colonel Babyak.