Wing seeks Best Practices

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Training Wing is seeking submissions for the Air Force Best Practices Clearinghouse, a program that enables the share of information for mission improvement.

Shirley Carrizo, a manpower analyst and Sheppard's point of contact for best practices, said it's typical to see a spike in AFBPC submissions leading up to an Operational Readiness Inspection. 

In 2004 and 2006, both ORI years, Mrs. Carrizo said she received 31 and 57 packages, respectively.

"That's when you see this big group (of packages come in)," she said. "They shouldn't wait unit the ORI. They should submit all year."

Examples of recent best practices by Sheppard units include the Airman & Family Readiness Flight's Operation KIDS, the 82nd Training Group's Civilian Mentoring Program and the 80th Operations Support Squadron's Hazardous Materials Program.

Mrs. Carrizo said the rush to get the packages completed and validated by Air Education and Training Command before an inspection is pretty common at every base. But, taking the time now to complete a package will ensure it goes through all the wickets in a timely manner.

She said the process begins when someone believes they have a best practice. People usually contact her, she said, to get the proper format for the forms and gain an understanding of the process. She added that it's the initiating person's responsibility to route through the local chain of command for approval and released outside the organization.

If the package is approved, Mrs. Carrizo said she then forwards it to AETC for review by the manpower and organization division and functional area manager for validation.

"The process shouldn't take more than 30 days, but it could be longer," she said, "I've seen it take two months.

"People shouldn't wait until the last minute. They should start now."

For more information about AFBPC, call 676-4332.