Commander opens door for innovation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Training Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Patrick Doherty, gave Airmen an opportunity to submit their ideas to him and other base leadership during an idea forum on Dec. 10, 2015, at the NCOA Auditorium.

With the lines of communication open, members of Team Sheppard discussed their ideas with the base leaders. From computer issues to traffic issues, no idea was turned down without being discussed thoroughly.

"My time in the Air Force has taught me that for just about every challenge we might face, there's a young staff sergeant or lieutenant out there who has the solution," Doherty said. "Sometimes it's hard to get that solution to the ears of people who can implement it -- that's the idea here, an open forum to allow the smart people doing the work every day to be heard all the way up the chain of command."

Every idea was heard, but realistically not all ideas can be implemented due to legal-binding statutes or strongly advocated policies.

"I offered an open forum for ideas to be heard and to take people's suggestions seriously and fully analyze them to see if it makes sense to pull the trigger and move out on Airmen's ideas," Doherty said. "Our Air Force needs these types of ideas to move forward and I'm excited with what I have heard so far and eager to implement change to help the team and the mission."

Notes were taken on every idea heard at the forum so they won't be forgotten and not considered. Every idea was heard, but realistically not all ideas can be implemented due to legal-binding statutes or strongly advocated policies.

As the ideas flowed, so did the innovation of the ideas. The suggestions submitted have the potential to assist with mission accomplishment, save money and time, and make us better in the future.

If you were unable to attend but have an idea to share, send an email to 82trw.ig.workflow@us.af.mil with "Idea Forum" in the subject line.