A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH 66th Year • No. 8 • FEBRUARY 24, 2012 PAGE 9 INSIDE ... AETC COST CONSCIOUSNESS, P3 ... 12TH FTW SCORES EXCELLENT, P4 ... JBSA 2012 AMBASSADORS, P6 PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD FEBRUARY 24, 2012 COMMENTARY ON THE COVER Jazmine White sings “Fix a Heart” by Demi Lovato at the You Got Talent Fam- Resolution program benefi ts everyone ily Teen Talent Contest Feb. 17 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center By Lakreisha Johnson on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. JBSA-Lackland Equal Opportunity director Jazmine took fi rst place in the Teen Vo- “An early resolution to a dispute is cal category. For the complete story on Unresolved disputes can create an un- the event, see page 9. comfortable working environment, have benefi cial. Quickly addressing a Photo by Rich McFadden a negative effect on productivity, and be a detriment to mission accomplishment dispute often leaves less time for a in the Air Force. A way to resolve or prevent this is bad situation to worsen and hurt the through the Alternative Dispute Reso- lution Program. ADR is an alternative work environment.” means of resolving disputes without resorting to lengthy and often expensive Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph formal complaint processes. other’s underlying interests. Without than traditional litigation or dispute Editorial Staff ADR needs to be the Air Force communication, it is almost impossible adjudication processes. Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter standard for workplace disputes. to repair a working relationship and These principles are focusing on in- Commander There are misconceptions that ADR achieve a lasting resolution. terests and not on positions, separating Marilyn Holliday is something to be considered only Communication is critical to what the people from the problem, generating Chief of Public Affairs Senior Airman Precious Yett when employees think their case is we do. Often, barriers begin to build a variety of possibilities before deciding Editor weak. In fact, mediation and facilita- between people for several reasons – what to do, and basing compromise on Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert tion are more effi cient ways to handle they don’t feel they can communicate an objective standard. Robert Goetz, Alex Salinas workplace disputes. Managers and their feelings, opinions, interests, etc. Mediation should be in good faith. Staff Writers employees need to consider it a fi rst This is where assistance from a The goal is to arrive at a mutual Maggie Armstrong choice, not a last resort. trained, neutral mediator or facilitator agreement. For every dispute, pos- Graphic Designer Too many people think their only op- can make a positive difference. They sible solutions can exist that may tion is to fi le a complaint or to decline can help break down barriers and get satisfy all interests. negotiation simply because they are con- communication back on track. We need to change the negative Wingspread Offi ce vinced they are right. Some employees An early resolution to a dispute is mindset toward negotiation and ADR. 1150 5th Street East view participation in an ADR process as benefi cial. Quickly addressing a dispute We need to encourage both manage- Randolph AFB, Texas 78150 giving in or a sign of weakness. often leaves less time for a bad situation ment and employees to consider the Phone: (210) 652-4410 The bottom line is, we all need to to worsen and hurt the work environ- small investment in time. In the end, Wingspread email respect and understand the differences ment. it may reap big benefi ts for everyone [email protected] of others as we attempt to carry out the We can’t guarantee the mediation – the parties, the co-workers and the Wingspread Advertisement Offi ce Prime Time Military Newspapers mission. Mediation, facilitation and other process will be successful in every entire organization. Avenue E at Third Street ADR processes help us do that while we case, but more times than not, medi- The ADR process does not negate San Antonio, Texas 78205 are resolving disputes. ation has proven to help supervisors either party’s right to pursue other av- (210) 250-2519 • Fax 250-2570 Traditionally, in a dispute, the par- and employees arrive at solutions in enues for resolution if it is not success- ties tend to focus most of their time and workplace disputes. ful, so give the process a chance. attention on positions and what actions The reason we negotiate is to get bet- For more information or to schedule This newspaper is published by Prime Time Military News- can be taken against each other. This ter results than without negotiating. mediation, contact the JBSA-Randolph papers, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Joint Base San makes communication very diffi cult. Employing tried-and-true, inter- ADR team at 652-4376, the JBSA-Lack- Antonio-Randolph, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Without effective communication, the est-based principles is more likely land team at 671-3786, or for the JBSA- Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members parties won’t know how to address each to lead us to a win-win resolution Fort Sam Houston team 221-1177. of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Wingspread are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ- ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Prime Time Military Newspapers, of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of JBSA-Randolph. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos. The deadline for submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior to publication. All submissions can be emailed to [email protected]. FEBRUARY 24, 2012 WINGSPREAD PAGE 3 NEWS AETC builds culture of cost consciousness By Dianne Moffett efficiently through new tech- ment of Budgetary Resources Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs nology and more stream- in FY14,” Fiquett said. “An lined programs. Airmen independent auditor will The Air Force will support a smaller, leaner and are also scheduled to come in, look at our books lethal capable force, and encourage a more disciplined receive a 1.7 percent pay and provide an opinion on use of defense dollars, according to senior leaders, who increase in 2013. how well we allocate, spend unveiled the fiscal 2013 budget Feb. 13. The Air Force “Even though the overall and track dollars. is requesting $154.3 billion for fiscal year 2013, five budget is becoming more “This is an important first step percent less than the FY12 budget. constrained, the Air Force for the DoD, particularly in light Despite having to make some hard choices to re- and AETC is committed to of the broader economic chal- balance the force, a clear priority for Air Force se- the quality of life of its lenges facing the American nior leaders is continuing to take care of its most im- Airmen and their fam- people and our charge to portant resource – the Airmen and their families. ilies, and will sustain be good stewards of tax- In a speech at the 2012 Air Education and Train- through cost-effec- payer dollars. ing Command Symposium Jan. 11, Gen. Edward tive services and “AETC continues A. Rice Jr., Air Education and Training Command programs,” Fiquett to look for innovative commander, said that now more than ever is a time said. ways to promote new for a culture of cost consciousness. “AETC will continue ideas to deliver its mis- “Every AETC Airman should constantly consider to offer Airmen essen- sion as we embark on and the cost implications of our actions, our inactions tial quality of life pro- embrace a culture of cost and our decisions,” he said. “It is about being good grams such as the Health consciousness.” stewards of America’s resources. It is more than and Wellness Center, the Child “We believe this period of just achieving greater efficiency; it really is about Development Center and Morale, resource constraints is not a time a mindset that makes cost considerations a part Welfare and Recreation programs.” for hand-wringing and slowly disman- of everything we do.” Fiquett also said the Air Force implement- tling the recruiting, education and training Col. Charles Fiquett, AETC comptroller, said ed the Financial Improvement and Audit Readi- structure we have had in the past, but an op- AETC will maintain the right number of Airmen on ness plan to reach audit readiness goals. portunity to build a fundamentally different con- the jobsite to complete the mission. He said that, “Congress and the Secretary of Defense mandat- struct and structure for the future,” Rice said. “If while the command will be smaller, the Air Force ed the Department of Defense to achieve auditable we do it right, it will require less resources and will help Airmen do their jobs smarter and more financial statements, beginning with the State- be more effective.” Contest showcases young performers’ talents By Robert Goetz category; Rylee, Sharlee, Baylee and Everett Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Krkosa, who performed Swift’s “Never Grow Public Affairs Up “ in the teen group category; teen specialty performer Rebekah Landry, who accompanied A variety of acts – from singers and guitar herself on guitar while singing “Rhythm of players to dancers and even a cup stacker – Love” by the Plain White T’s; Claire Jones in the graced the stage of the Airman and Family children’s category, who sang Gloria Gaynor’s Readiness Center ballroom Feb.