AFDW commander sets an array of goals for organization's future Published July 16, 2009 By Benjamin Newell AFDW PA AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- AFDW Commander Maj. Gen. Ralph Jodice held a series of Commander's Calls July 14 and 15 for all assigned Airmen where he outlined the "way ahead" for the command. The General said indicators like the Unit Climate Assessment and the Staff Assistance Visit -- both of which were recently concluded -- fed into his decisions concerning the direction of AFDW. "There have been some questions and confusion lately concerning the mission of AFDW," he said. "Our stated goals and vision have gone through some changes. I'm here to tell you that I have chosen a path. That is where we're going and I need you to support that effort," the general said to the crowd of 200 Airmen, who attended the Commander's Call held at the Community Activity Center on Andrews AFB, Md. The General explained the AFDW mission and vision line-by-line, detailing what each phrase meant to him and, in turn, to the command. He said the new mission includes words like "executes" because that is what AFDW Airmen do. "We carry out and complete missions, we don't just 'support' them," the general said. "We also use the word 'worldwide' because that's where we operate. We support joint operations within the National Capital Region, but we operate worldwide, providing administrative control to 40,000 Airmen in more than 100 countries." AFDW personnel were also briefed on the progress made on the H1N1 flu virus and how it may affect the mission in the coming months. "Our number one priority is the health of our Airmen," said Col. David Timm, AFDW A 3/5 director. "Our second priority is mission completion." Colonel Timm explained that a 40 percent absenteeism rate during the fall and winter is a possibility as H1N1 accelerates in conjunction with the regular flu season. Through alternate work sites and flexibility on the part of all Airmen, the mission of should be attainable, he said. Results of both the SAV and UCI were discussed in detail by the General, including areas that need additional work. General Jodice explained that quarterly updates would be made on the SAV, with the Inspector General leading efforts to keep tabs on progress. "This gives us a definitive date to make changes and continue to improve, even in areas where we may be satisfied," said General Jodice. "Even when we've surpassed expectations, we should be striving for improvements." The next SAV is scheduled for 2010. Results of the current SAV provide a clear path for Airmen well into 2011, according to the general. Referencing the UCI, the general said more than 57 percent of AFDW Airmen responded to the survey. "Did you know that 68 percent of our organizations is civilian?" he asked the audience. "I didn't until I saw the breakdown. "Civilians are the glue that hold us together." Overall, AFDW Airmen gave the command marks that were in line with, and in some cases higher than, the overall Air Force marks in most areas. Although the UCI shows AFDW Airmen see themselves as part of a inclusive environment, General Jodice said there is always room for improvement. He also spent time strongly reiterating his "zero tolerance" policy for acts of discrimination, sexual harassment and any other violations of equal rights. AFDW Airmen from the Pentagon and Bolling AFB, Washington D.C., received similar briefings. The separate Commander's Calls gave General Jodice a chance to tailor his message specifically to each audience as well as ensure that all AFDW personnel were able to attend without undue hardship.