Recognition week to boost public service awareness Published April 29, 2009 By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Altus AFB will observe Public Service Recognition Week beginning May 4. The base will use the nation-wide recognition week to educate base personnel about the civilians serving in government. Leadership Altus Air Force Base Class of 2009, a civilian leadership and professional development class of emerging leaders at Altus AFB, will host a luncheon at Club Altus May 8 to recognize five civilians throughout the 97th Air Mobility Wing. The awards will symbolize the value of civilian accomplishments to the mission of the 97 AMW. "Being able to tell the story of what public service is and what people in public service do is part of getting the word out and educating people about all of the opportunities," said Boone Nicolls, 97th Air Mobility Wing Inspector General and president of LAAFB Class of 2009. "It's important to let people know what public servants do. As we celebrate PSRW we hope there will be people who will catch a vision of how they can serve their country and how they can apply themselves to a career that's just as patriotic as joining the military." To illustrate the extent of the civilian work force on base, various storyboards are currently posted at key facilities such as the 97th Force Support Squadron, Commissary and Base Exchange buildings. The LAAFB class has also participated in mission briefings and tours of many agencies on base. "They've seen how various units contribute to the mission and how the individuals make up the whole. Everyone working together makes the mission happen," he said. "When personnel in the squadrons and units have seen the LAAFB class touring the various facilities and work centers, there has been an increased awareness on both sides of how different people, military and civilian, make up the workforce." Although this is the first year that Altus AFB has officially participated in the PSRW activities, there are plans for future leadership classes and other organizations to continue to promote and celebrate public service. "The recognition of people serving in public service will become even better known," said Mr. Nicolls. "We hope more people become more aware of the services that public servants perform, the young men and women in our community can consider a career in public service. They have opportunities to serve right here in their hometown, or travel to other areas, even around the world." Career fields once predominately manned by military personnel are now sharing the workload with a capable civilian work force. "We have a broad range of civilians working on base such as pilot instructors, medical personnel and fire fighters," said Mr. Nicolls. "There are many civilians who contribute to the mission. We've become an integral part of Team Altus and are serving shoulder to shoulder with our military warriors." Lt. Col. Michael Babyak, 97th Air Mobility Wing director of staff and 20-year Air Force veteran remembers a time when there were fewer civilians. "Twenty years ago we had about a five-percent civilian work force and now we have about a 50-percent work force," the colonel said. "It's been a dramatic change in the fact that we now have consistency in several key positions throughout (the Air Force). It provides a lot of stability while deployments continue to rise." Recognizing the increasing contributions of civilians will become more prominent as the Air Force ethos continues to evolve. "You always want to recognize people who do outstanding work," said Colonel Babyak.