Sheppard people feel Safe, Secure, and Supported

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux
  • 82nd Training Wing commander
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When I took command about 3 months ago, I set 3 priorities: 1) Being "technically the best" in our tech training mission, 2) providing "fantastic first impressions" for our trainees, our newcomers, and families, and 3) ensuring a "safe, secure, supportive" environment for all our people.

The last area - "the three S's" - is important to me because we can't get the mission done unless our people feel "safe, secure and supported." Safety was obviously on your mind over the Thanksgiving holiday. In fact, I'm happy to report that we had an extremely safe Thanksgiving weekend here at Sheppard.

Not a single injury or mishap or DUI was reported all week long. That's absolutely fantastic. And I know it didn't happen by accident, but was the result of a lot of great leadership, combined with the attitude of putting safety first. Thanks for paying attention and keeping us safe Team Sheppard!

Not only is Team Sheppard safe, but our people feel "secure and supported" as well. I recently reviewed some unit human relations climate indicators measured over the past six months. The results were quite encouraging. Our assigned personnel rated six areas: job and community environment; motivation, pride, and recognition; peer relationships; unit leadership; freedom to complain; and fair treatment and discrimination.

In every single area, Sheppard personnel rated our climate more favorably than the USAF average. In other words, Sheppard people, in general, feel quite satisfied with the human relations climate in their units and our base.

For example 90 percent of Sheppard personnel favorably rate the statement "I like my job," compared to an 81 percent average across the rest of the Air Force - that's a significant difference.

In my view, one reason people like working at Sheppard is because of the great support they receive. Our chaplains and base services will continue that tradition of support for Team Sheppard during this holiday season with our base Christmas Tree lighting on Monday at 6 p.m. This will be a great evening for families with lots of options to choose from including a Mongolian Barbeque at the Sheppard Club from 5-8 p.m., a BX "Christmas Tree Lighting Sale" that will last until 9 p.m. and the Christmas Tree lighting itself which will take place in the lot just across from the commissary and include music, hot chocolate and a "surprise" visit from Santa. I encourage you and your families to come out and help us kick off the holiday season.

Thanks Team Sheppard for all you do to support our very important pilot and technical training mission. We'll keep working hard to keep you "safe, secure, and supported" - thanks!