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Strike Now program allows for innovation at all levels

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Joseph Raatz
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Unhindered innovation is the name of the game at Air Force Global Strike Command's "Strike Now!" program.

Strike Now offers AFGSC Airmen at all levels a conduit to submit suggestions for improvement to senior command leadership directly, without being encumbered by the traditional process of slowly passing the idea up each step in their chain of command. The program was created to allow Air Force Global Strike Airmen "to be able tell us directly where improvements can be made without needless roadblocks and bureaucracy," said Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, AFGSC commander.

"Each and every submission is personally discussed by the commander and Directors at Strike Now senior leader review boards," said Pete Ellis, director of AFGSC Smart Operations Division.

Of the more than 380 Strike Now submissions received to date, approximately 70 have been approved or approved-in-part, and more than a dozen have been sent to Headquarters Air Force for approval.

One idea which was approved and has since been field-tested was submitted by a B-52 aircrew member at Barksdale.

"This individual was frustrated by the fact that many squadrons had different standards and formats when it came to aircrew training folders," Ellis said.

Previously, when a member transferred to a new unit, the gaining unit would have to review and rearrange the member's training folders to ensure adherence to that particular unit's standards. The member who made the suggestion felt this process was confusing and needlessly wasted a great deal of time and effort.

In response to this, the member submitted an idea to Strike Now that featured the adoption of a standardized electronic training folder that would transfer quickly and easily between units, saving time and hassle.

Other suggestions submitted to the Strike Now program have included combining certain inspections to eliminate wasteful redundancy, creating an equivalent of the First Term Airmen's Center for first term officers and authorizing flexible work schedules for civilian employees.

One Airman proposed the Air Force could save money and resources by encouraging inspector general teams to carpool, thereby reducing the number of vehicles used.

"That worked out great," Ellis said.

Airmen who submit approved proposals can receive command recognition and may be encouraged to make a submission to the Air Force's wider Innovative Development through Employee Awareness initiative, known as the IDEA program, which offers both monetary and non-monetary awards for innovative ideas.

"With the really good ideas, where we see that potential, we encourage them to double-back and see how high they can take it," said Air Force Master Sgt. Jesse Boyd, Strike Now project coordinator.

For Ellis, the really good ideas share a common theme.

"The ideas that are spring-loaded for success are those which have really been thought out," Ellis said. "The people submitting them don't just bring up a problem, they envision a solution. They say 'Here's the issue I see, and here's how I would fix it.' Those are the people who are successful in the program."

Any AFGSC Airman wishing to submit an idea may do so through the Strike Now Website, https://www.afgscstrikenow.com, which has been made accessible not only by computer but also by mobile platforms such as tablets or smartphones running Apple iOS or Android operating systems. This allows for Airmen to submit suggestions whenever and wherever they may be, improving the program's impact by making it easier for Airmen working out in the field to contribute.

Strike Now has been successful largely due to the fact that the review process is run from a "how can we make this work?" standpoint rather than utilizing a "no, because" method, Ellis said.

"If someone has a better way of doing things and that idea has merit, the program's responsibility is to clear the barriers that stand in the way," Ellis said. "That's why Strike Now was created, to help the good ideas rise to the top."