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Shaw leaders put feedback into action

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  On Aug. 21, Capt. Emilee Senn, 337th Recruiting Squadron operations flight commander, was bringing her child to the 20th Force Support Squadron Child Development Center.

It was then she recognized how much people were worrying about rendering salutes and ensuring their hat was on properly while trying to usher their children inside the building safely.

Seeing the need for change and knowing other bases approved their CDCs to be designated No Hat/No Salute areas, Senn thought, “Why not pitch it to Shaw leadership and see if it’s feasible?”

She then brought her idea to 20th Fighter Wing leadership by drafting up a memorandum for record, officially requesting the CDC buildings and surrounding parking lots become a designated No Hat/No Salute area.

Senn said approximately 10 minutes after she sent it to leadership, 1st Lt. Kimberly Dotson, 20th FW wing commander’s executive assistant, told her Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th FW wing commander, thought it was great idea and was signing it immediately.

By 1 p.m., the notification of the newly designated No Hat/No Salute area was posted on the 20th FSS Facebook page.

“The Child & Youth Program facilities, to include entrance areas and adjacent parking lots, are designated No Hat/No Salute areas,” said O’Malley. “All uniformed personnel will still be required to render appropriate customs and courtesies during the playing of reveille and retreat.”

Senn went on to say people can now put all their focus and energy into getting their children inside the CDC safely.

“I think the priority of the CDC is getting the little humans where they need to be safely; customs and courtesies are great, but I don’t think that’s the priority when you are walking in and out of the building and parking lot,” said Senn. “You usually see people juggling bags and maybe multiple kids and strollers, and I don’t think they need to be focused on who they are passing or if it’s time to salute.”

Senn’s story serves as a reminder to Team Shaw members that leadership is always open to Airmen’s solutions to help improve the base.