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HeartlandWarriorVol. 11, No. 7July 2006Serving the men and women of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom ARB, Ind.Photo by SrA. Chris BolenAn F-15 Eagle pulls up alongside a Grissom KC-135R Stratotanker following an inflight refueling mission. Grissom has alwaysreceived high marks in the refueling business, and with the results of the latest climate survey the base is earning high marksin many other areas as well.Grissom earns high marks in climate surveyBy Lt. Col. Gary LockardPublic Affairs staffThe results of the most recent AirForce Climate Survey are in andGrissom members gave the 434th AirRefueling Wing high marks in numerous areas.The survey, offered every twoyears, measured how people feel aboutleadership, supervision, training,communication, recognition, jobsatisfaction and other aspects of theAir Force.“I was impressed not only with theresults of the survey, but more importantly, this survey compared to the lastone,” said Col. Kerry Keithcart, 434thARW vice commander. “It showed allof the areas we improved in.”Categories that received higherratings this time around includedrecognition (plus 12 percent), participation and involvement (plus 9 percent),satisfaction (plus 9 percent), unitflexibility (plus 8 percent), training anddevelopment (plus 5 percent), and jobenhancement (plus 4 percent).The survey was open to all unitmembers and 529 people participated.This included officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees. The surveywas conducted from Oct. 1 – Nov. 23.“Historically, when you do research,if you get 20 percent participation,that’s pretty good,” explained ColonelKeithcart. “The fact that we had over500 participants (approximately 33percent of the wing) is phenomenal. Itspeaks well for our wing that so manypeople chose to participate.”While all portions of the survey wereimportant to senior leadership at thebase, areas that were identified forimprovement during the last surveywere of most interest. One of the keyareas targeted for improvement wasrecognition.The wing’s Human ResourceDevelopment Council was a keyplayer in developing recommendationsto improve the recognition process. Inthe 2003 survey, only 63 percent feltPlease see 'Climate,' page 3
Inside perspectiveProper planning can help tame the credit monsterBy Master Sgt. Ben Seitz341st Contracting Squadron“People do not plan to fail. They failto plan.”It is an adage spoken countlesstimes. Unfortunately for many, it ringspainfully true in today’s easy-creditenvironment.I have heard many stories of peoplewho have put themselves into devastating financial hardship due to a lackof planning and fiscal self-control.I searched through the local phonedirectory and found no fewer than 15“pay day” loan companies who preyupon those who fail to plan, oftencharging interest rates in excess of 600percent annual percentage rate.Always be cognizant of the fact thatalthough financial responsibility is apersonal matter in the civilian world,military members can be chargedunder the Uniform Code of MilitaryJustice for financial irresponsibility.So how can folks avoid financialpitfalls and manage their financesskillfully?The first step to financial independence is developing a budget.For the next two months, itemize allof your expenditures to include thosequick lunches, café mochas from thecoffee stand on the way to work andthe lottery tickets you purchased at thegas station.This can be an eye-opening experience for some.At the end of two months, look atwhere your money is going, anddevelop a plan to harness your spending to meet your objectives.HeartlandWarriorVol. 11, No.7July 2006This funded Air ForceReserve Command newspaper isan authorized publication formembers of the U.S. militaryservices.2One critical component of anybudget is an emergency fund, whichcan reduce the burden of unforeseenevents like car repairs or unplannedtravel expenses. It also helps mitigatethe use of credit cards for emergencysituations.The dollar amounts of emergencyfunds vary according to the person, butin general, a military person shouldhave one month’s salary set aside tocover potential unknown situations.Once a budget is developed, aperson needs to get a handle on his orher credit liabilities — what he owes toothers.Credit cards can be a good thingwhen managed properly.Too often, though, people misusetheir credit cards to purchase thingsthey do not really need and then paythe minimum payment requiredmonthly.This can turn that flat screen television you purchased on sale for 1,500into an overpriced investment of 2,500that will take an additional two to threeyears to pay off.If you have credit cards with outstanding balances you cannot pay offat the end of the month, you need aplan.Most department store credit cardscharge in excess of 20 percent interest,and if you are only making the minimum payment, chances are they willnot be paid off for several years.If you have outstanding creditbalances, develop a plan to pay themoff as part of your budgeting process.Many experts recommend paying offContents of the HeartlandWarrior are not necessarily theofficial views of, or endorsed by,the U.S. Government, theDepartment of Defense, or theDepartment of the Air Force.The editorial content isedited, and prepared by thePublic Affairs Office of the434th Air Refueling Wing,Grissom ARB, IN, 46971-5000.the lowest credit card balance first bypaying as much as possible on it whilepaying the minimum required paymenton all other cards.This can give a person a quick senseof accomplishment, and it eliminatesanother monthly payment.Soon a person will be down topaying the maximum amount possibleon one remaining card.Finally, a few words about purchasing a vehicle. If buying your first car,buy only what you can afford: thatmeans cash in hand.If that’s a 300 junker from thelemon lot, then that will have to do.Then bank the 400 per month youwould have had to pay on a new carloan.After 12 months, upgrade to a 4,800 car that should last two years.Continue making the 400 deposits for24 more months and you will have 9,600 to purchase your next car.The habit you are developing willhave you driving newer vehicles in notime and you will never have to go intodebt for them.Always check with your insurancecompany before purchasing a vehicleto find out the monthly cost of insurance for that vehicle, and ensure theamount is part of your monthly budget.If you need help, visit the financialexperts at the Family Readiness.They may be able assist you in awide array of services, includingsetting up a budget and arrangingpayment terms with credit cardcompanies.Best of all, their services are free.Any questions regardingstories or photos should bedirected to the editor at (765)688-3348.StaffBrig. Gen. James Melin.commanderLt. Col. Gary Lockard.chief, public affairsTech. Sgt. Doug Hays.editorSrA. Chris Bolen.staff writerSrA. Roberto Modelo.staff writerSrA. Mark Orders-Woempner.staff writerSrA. Jonathan Jones.staff writerSrA. Ben Mota.staff writerPenny Pearson.administrationWorld Wide WebAir Force Reserve Home Pagehttp://www.afrc.af.milGrissom Home Pagehttp://www.grissom.afrc.af.milHeartland Warrior
News & ViewsPhoto by Tech. Sgt. Doug HaysMoulage rougeTech. Sgt. Alicia Bartel, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, applies moulage to an 'accident victim' at the Converse, Ind.,Airport. Grissom teamed with area first responders recently to conduct a joint exercise involving a simulated aircraftcrash. The exercise allowed Grissom personnel to interract with their civilian counterparts in a realistic scenario.Climate,from page 2the wing was doing a good job withrecognition. The efforts have paid offas those who said the wing was doinga good job in this area rose to 75percent.“A lot of times, the unsung heroes,the guys and gals who are out theredoing the job, don’t get big awards ormedals,” said the colonel. “Wewanted to make sure they are recognized and appreciated for all they do.We still have room to improve and willcontinue to work this issue.”Overall, the survey measured morethan 50 areas.Other notable responses included theamount of people who said they hadJuly 2006trust in their supervisor (92 percent),felt the unit was accomplishing itsmission (97 percent), were satisfiedwith their jobs (90 percent), wereprovided opportunities to improve their(87 percent) and are proud to tellothers they are part of the 434th ARW(92 percent).“I think that is what is so good aboutthe military, and Grissom specifically,is that we have a large level of trust,”explained Colonel Keithcart. “That isso critical because of our jobs. Whenthere have been surveys at large, themilitary has one of the highest trustlevels of any profession. At Grissom,our level of trust is even higher.”Other notable trends that emergedfrom the survey were people felt theyare prepared to go to war, are ready todeploy, have a strong conviction thethings they do are important, feel thewing is successfully accomplishing itsmission, are given a chance to improve their skills and what they do on aregular basis is meaningful.Wing leadership was also pleasedthat the 434th ARW scored anywherefrom 2 to 11 percent higher in mostkey categories than the average AirForce unit. To view the completeresults of the climate survey, pleasethe Grissom ARB web site at:www.grissom.afrc.af.mil.3
FeatureReservist's hobby hasBy SrA. Chris BolenPublic Affairs staffMany folks know Master Sgt. LesMcConnell the Reserve historian orcivilian fireman; but many don’tknow him as an engineer.Sergeant McConnell’s love ofrailroading has become a serioushobby with a certain amount of laborinvolved.You might call it a “labor of lovewith rail equipment,” he said whilesporting an oily engineer’s hat andbibbed overalls.One of those loves is a vintage1953 Fairmont S-2 track inspectionmotorcar also referred to as aspeeder car, or just speeder for short.His speeder was manufactured bythe Fairmont Gas Engine & RailwayMotorcar Co. of Fairmont, Minnesota. Originally used by the NickelPlate railroad on its main rail line outof Chicago, its primary use wastransporting workers for trackmaintenance.Sergeant McConnell bought thespeeder about eight years ago from aretired railroad conductor.Most speeder cars were designedto carry up to a crew of six toperform maintenance on assignedsections of rail road tracks. Comfortwas not a consideration in theirdesign. The cars transported workersin what today would be consideredprimitive conditions with open sidesand back and sporting only the long,wood covered engine compartmentfor seating.The plucky little cars rolled along atspeeds of up to 40 mph, propelled bya single cylinder 12-horse power,two-cycle engine burning a gasolineand oil mixture for fuel. SergeantMcConnell refers to this as a “hit andmiss” type of engine, and it wasoriginally equipped with a hand crankstarter.The speeder gets roughly 20 milesper gallon of gas however “the gasmileage is actually higher than thewater per mile,” he notes.Like most internal combustionengines, water cooling is needed. Onthe front of the car is an evaporatoror condenser that everyone mistakesfor a radiator. Unlike an automobilewhich uses a radiator with a waterpump, the speeder uses a water“jacket” around the single enginecylinder for cooling.The water is not pumped, it merelysits. As the engine heats the water itrises upward through the condenserwhere it cools, and drips downwardto pool in the jacket and start thecooling cycle over again.The sergeant has taken his speederon trips across Indiana via rail lines.He’s among hundreds of people whoown speeder cars and take trips viathe railroads, abiding by the regulations enforced by the FederalRailroad Administration. Theseregulations include strict matters ofright-of-way.Trips must be preplanned inadvance with all the concernedrailroads traveled on to avoid crossing tracks with a regular train.Speeder operators prepare likepilots prepare by filing a flight planbefore departure.There are strict guidelines thatmust be followed and there areblocks of time given to you to travelacross a specific sections of track.In the evavoid a traand use a sthe side traand removIn the lalifting polechassis ofthem out acar off thebarrow.He feelsrewardinga motorcarsions on pethrough a r“People’sion of somor a Stanlemuseum,”mustachioeMaster Sgt. LesMcConnell, 434thAir RefuelingWing historian,stands next to his1953 Fairmont S2 Series TrackCar -- also knownas a speeder car.Sergeant McConnell checks thewater level in theThe vaporizer helps cool the 12-horse power singmotors down the railroad tracks.4Heartland Warrior
Features him riding the railsvent you actually have toain, you can go to a sidingswitch to move over ontoack, or stop at a crossingve your speeder.ater case, there are longes which are stored in thethe car. You can pulland use them to move thetracks much like a wheelthat one of the mostthings about traveling viar or speeder is the expreseople’s faces as he rollsrailroad crossing.’s faces have the expresmeone seeing a Model-Tey Steamer from ahe said with a biged grin.Photos by SrA. Chris Bolenspeeder car's vaporizer.le cylinder engine as itJuly 2006Speeder car enthusiasts like Sergeant McConnell ride the rails through the United States and Canada.Operators must file travel plans much like a pilot files flight plans to help ensure that accidents thespeeders and massive diesel powered locomotives of today operate safely together.5
FeatureUTA itemsLodging is open 24 hours a dayduring the primary unit training assembly and from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. onalternate UTAs.The fitness center is open from 6a.m. to 8 p.m.The dining facility troop feedinghours on Saturday are 6-7:15 a.m. forbreakfast; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for lunch(12:30 p.m. on the alternate); and 4:30-5:30 p.m. for dinner.On Sunday the hours are 5:45-6:45a.m. for breakfast, and 11 a.m. - 1p.m. for lunch (12:30 p.m. on alternate).Box dinners for the Sunday eveningmeal must be ordered by the Sundaybreakfast, and must be picked up by4:30 p.m. on Sunday.The 434th Aerospace MedicalSquadron’s immunization clinic isopen on Saturday from 8:30 - 11:30a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.434th Security Forces SquadronPass and ID is open from 9 a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturday of the primary UTA.Upcoming UTAs: Primary UTAsinclude July 15-16, and Aug.5-6.Alternate UTAs are July 22-23, andAug. 19-20.Worship services are held in Bldg.596, Room 116.During primary unit training assemblies, Protestant services are Sundayat 11 a.m. with Catholic worshipservices at 12:15 p.m.Farewell luncheonPhoto by SrA. Jonathan JonesTarget acquiredNick Ward, a fire fighter with the 434th Civil Engineering Squadron, prepares tothrow a ball during a dodge ball tournament at the fitness center during theJune unit training assembly. The Fire Dogs team number one shut down thefiery play of the Fire Dogs team number two to win the tournament.6A farewell luncheon for Brig. Gen.James Melin, 434th Air RefuelingWing commander, will be held from11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 13 at thepavillion behind the services complex.Those planning to attend shouldRSVP at Ext. 4340 or 4341 forheadcount purposes only.The cost is 5 and the menu includespulled pork sandwiches, beans, potatochips, potato/macaroni salad, and avariety of drinks.In addition, anyone wanting to makea presentation should contact Maj.Charles Good at Ext. 4341 to be addedto the script.Heartland Warrior
News BriefsPhoto by SrA. Chris BolenDrawing a crowdA rescue helicopter on display at PatrickAFB, Fla., draws a crowd of Indiana civic leaders and employers during a recentcivic leader trip. Those touring had an opportunity to learn about the rescue mission at Patrick, and also toured CapeCanaveral and the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.Data theftAll military members can check theAir Force Personnel Center Web siteat http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil tosee if their personal data was compromised in the recent Veterans Administration data theft incident.This is an additional effort on behalfof the Air Force to ensure affectedAirmen are aware their informationwas compromised.For the latest information on thisissue and for more information on howto protect against identity theft, visithttp://www.firstgov.gov.Language payBeing able to speak another language may translate into more moneyfor some military people, includingthose who do not perform languageduties.Foreign Language Proficiency Payrates increased recently for qualifiedJuly 2006military members.Air Force Reserve Command peoplecan find more details about FLPPonline at https://arpc.afrc.af.mil/education/ flpp.asp.For specific questions about payments and entitlements, reservistsshould contact their local militarypersonnel flight.Toys for TotsThe Marine Corp is sponsoring agolf outing Aug. 12 at the ChippendaleGolf Course in Kokomo in support ofteh Toys for Tots program.The four-person best ball tournamentbegins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.Cost is 200 per team.Additional information, including anentry form can be found by visitingkokomomarines.com or by calling BillGaunt at 765-868-0179.PatchesReservists assigned to the Air ForceReserve Command units will nowwear an AFRC patch on their battledress uniforms.Previously most Grissom memberswore an Air Mobility Command patchon the right breast pocket.The change is effective immediatelyand mandatory by Oct. 1, 2006.Base officials would like for Grissommembers to have the patches on forthe July unit training assembly ifpossible.Unit orderly rooms began distributingpatches during the June UTA.For more information, contact yourunit orderly room or unit clothingmonitor.7
Feedback positive on prototype uniformWASHINGTON — Based onfeedback received during visits withAirmen across the Air Force, the AirForce Uniform Board is reviewingseveral concepts that Airmen havesuggested regarding the appearance ofthe service dress uniform.Some of the informal feedback aboutthe current service dress includesAirmen wanting to revamp the servicedress to look more military, like theother services.One senior airman said, “the currentuniform resembles a cheesy businesssuit.” A staff sergeant said, “thinkworld’s most dominating air power, notCEO,” and another described it as a“cheap leisure suit.”Other comments have suggestedthat the uniform needs to reflect theAir Force’s history more.On an Internet message board anAirman recently wrote, “I want to lookgood and be proud of my AF heritage.”Another Airman wrote that the dressuniform pales in comparison to any ofthe other services. “We need something that distinguishes us as proudmembers of the U.S. military.”The Air Force began exploring theseideas by producing several prototypesthat reflect a combination of ideas thathave been gleaned from comments,suggestions and informal surveysconducted over the past several years.A more formal survey soon willprovide additional opportunities forAirmen to provide feedback andcomments.“We’ve been getting informalfeedback on our current service dressuniform for several years, and whatwe consistently have heard from manyAirmen is a desire for a more ‘military,’ and less ‘corporate’ look andfeel, something more reflective of theAir Force’s heritage, and its role as aprofessional military organization,” saidBrig. Gen. Robert Allardice, directorof Airman development and sustainment, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel.“The Uniform Board has come upPhoto by Staff Sgt. C. Todd LopezBrig. Gen. Robert Allardice and Senior Master Sgt. Dana Athnos show off prototypesof the Billy Mitchell heritage coat in the Pentagon on Monday, May 15, 2006. GeneralAllardice is director of Airmen development and sustainment and Sergeant Athnosis a member of the Air Force uniform board.with some options to explore theseconcepts and the initial prototypes aredirect descendants of our heritage,rooted in Hap Arnold and BillyMitchell’s Air Force,” GeneralAllardice said.The survey will provide a moreformal opportunity to collect feedbackon whether or not Airmen want a newservice dress, and if so, what changes,likes, or dislikes they have about theprototypes.“We believe we need to respond tothe force and the constant flow offeedback we receive on the servicedress is driving this initiative. We seethis as an opportunity to do so, alongwith a chance to reflect on our richhistory, as well as the image we wishto portray in uniform,” said GeneralAllardice. “We want to make sure ouruniforms, all combinations, meet ourcurrent and future needs.”This process will use the standardAir Force Uniform Board process andas with the Airman’s Battle Uniform,Airmen are encouraged to take theopportunity to directly contribute tohow their new service uniform mightlook.The Air Force will present optionsbased on feedback received onpossible service dress designs throughthe uniform board process. (AFNS)
the 2003 survey, only 63 percent felt Please see 'Climate,' page 3 An F-15 Eagle pulls up alongside a Grissom KC-135R Stratotanker following an inflight refueling mission. Grissom has always received high marks in the refueling business, and with the results of the latest climate survey the base is earning high marks in many other areas as well.
