U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, Suggestion Box: Good ideas can help improve quality of life

By Paul J. StevensonNovember 21, 2014

VICENZA, Italy -- Members of the Vicenza Military Community now have an additional method to submit ideas for improving the quality of life for Soldiers, Families, workforce and the garrison.

The Garrison Suggestion Box program went online Sept. 5 and seeks ideas from members of the community on just about anything that can help the garrison increase productivity, conserve recourses, improve safety, working conditions and morale.

U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza Plans Analysis and Integration Office lead program and management analyst Michael Fugate said the program's goal is to provide community members a simple way of submitting their suggestions for improving processes, services or any other cost-reduction ideas they may have.

"We are always looking for ways to improve, and we know we don't have all the answers," Fugate said. "Through the Suggestion Box Program, we're empowering our community and asking them to submit their ideas on how we can be most efficient."

He said the process is similar to the former Army Suggestion Program - only without any official red tape or forms to fill out. Fugate said the PAIO office will receive the suggestions and forward them to the appropriate directorate for further consideration. The directorate will, in turn, review the suggestion and provide a response as to whether or not ideas or suggestions can be can be implemented.

Fugate said suggestions don't have to be submitted in any particular format, but should provide as many details as possible. At minimum submissions should identify an issue, propose a solution and identify the benefit(s) associated with any recommended changes.

Fugate added that people who submit suggestions or ideas can expect to receive a reply by email within five working days.

The Suggestion Box Program does not take the place of the Interactive Customer Evaluation system.

"ICE is the means for customers to provide meaningful, factual feedback on services or programs provided by the Garrison," Fugate said. "The Suggestion Box provides a means by which the public can submit ideas on how to improve the quality of life for Soldiers, Families, the workforce and the community in a manner that is not already in the ICE system."

Ideas to the Garrison Suggestion Box can be submitted via email at http://www.usag.vicenza.army.mil/sites/local/vsp/ICE/default.html or you can send your suggestion to: usarmy.vicenza.imcom-europe.mbx.vmc-suggestions@mail.mil

Related Links:

U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza

Vicenza Military Community Facebook