ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. –
July marked the one year anniversary of the "Andrews ... Make It Yours" campaign.
As home to five wings, 65 additional partner units, and more than 700 military families, the campaign is designed to encourage and instill responsibility and a sense of ownership in Andrews' mission, community and living areas.
The initiative compels Team Andrews to look more closely at their base with pride, ultimately leading to an improvement in Andrews' overall quality of life.
"When I first got to Andrews and looked at the base, it looked a little tired," said Col. Paul R. Ackerley, 316th Wing commander. "And, it looked tired in two ways: tactically and strategically. When I say tactically, I mean trash was lying around, tree limbs weren't being pruned, grass was too long and so forth. Strategically, we had some roofs that leaked, potholes that needed to be filled or completely replaced - basically items that took a lot more time and money to address and were outside of the control of those who work and live at Andrews."
Some of the ways Team Andrews members who work and live on base can participate in the campaign include something as simple as picking up litter around your building or living quarters. "Tactically, we can all take ownership either by picking up a piece of trash or by calling your building manager to start the civil engineer work order process to fix something," explained Colonel Ackerley.
The "Andrews ... Make It Yours" campaign is further enhanced by many construction projects around the base. "We have a robust construction program with 64 facility and infrastructure projects valued at $51.9 million that have been completed since October 2006," said Lt. Col. Brian P. Duffy, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron commander.
Colonel Duffy explained that the base's construction program is a 60 percent increase since fiscal year 2005. Further, there are an additional 38 projects in construction worth $94.6 million with another 17 projects worth $4.3 million that are funded and awaiting start.
Additionally, funding for a new Strategic Planning and Development Facility and new 265-room Visitor's Quarters has also been secured for FY 2007.
Given all the multimillion-dollar funding for construction projects, one might think that money is required in order to truly make Andrews yours, but Colonel Duffy disagrees.
The construction funding "won't fix pallets left at a side of a building, trash blowing in and around parking lots or equipment that is improperly stored and creating an eyesore to an otherwise pleasant landscape," said Colonel Duffy. "It's these kinds of activities that all personnel, regardless of unit of assignment or funding levels, can help make a difference. The "Andrews ... Make It Yours" campaign is taking hold at Andrews as organizations are exhibiting greater attention to detail with respect to care and appearance of their facilities."
Team Andrews should be on the lookout for construction updates around base to be published in the future issues of the Capital Flyer.
"It's up to all of us to help make our base look better," said Colonel Ackerley. "When the base looks better, we all feel better about where we work, where we live and we all can take pride in Andrews."
"If you have a 3-year assignment here at Andrews and take ownership to make it a better place to work or live, you will visibly see the improvements during your tour of duty," said Colonel Ackerley.