BAMBERG, Germany -- Voices were heard, 68 delegates and 16 facilitators, recorders, transcribers and issue support volunteers participated in the annual Army Family Action Plan symposium here on Nov. 29.
AFAP takes issues submitted by Soldiers, family members, civilians, retirees and survivors and address them at the garrison-level.
This bottom-up program is systematic with issues worked at a garrison level and then moved up to the Installation Management Command Europe level, in turn these issues can then be moved up to the Headquarters Department of the Army.
The issues are prioritized and discussed in small working groups made up of both military and civilian community members during the symposium.
"One person is all it takes to make a change," said Christine Godbee, a facilitator for this year's symposium.
"Everyone gets a voice and can initiate a change for a better life in the Army," Godbee said.
Top issues included the limited knowledge of dental policies and procedures for family members, different regulations for Exceptional Family Member Program within Installation Management Command Europe and Military Personnel Division and the timelines of transportation of household goods.
Kimberly Jones, a delegate, was part of the group that discussed the timeline of transportation of household goods.
"One of the top issues that our group discussed which could affect the Army as a whole involved the transportation office and the process in which Soldiers and their family members coordinate with contracted carriers," Jones said.
"Resolving certain aspects of the process, increasing a standard of customer service and accountability, and empowering the Soldier with information could greatly influence the ease in which household goods shipments are handled," she said.
U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg organizes a teen group of delegates each year to discuss issues they experience.
"One of the top issues we had was regarding Army Air Force Exchange Services providing high priced, but low quality lunches for students," said Alicia Speelman, a junior at Bamberg Middle High School.
"The issues talked about within the many groups can be solved if they, as a community, are willing to fix it," Speelman said. "If no one speaks up and pursues a resolution, then, nothing will be accomplished."
About 90 percent of all issues submitted are handled at a local level by continuing community improvements.
The top 12 issues were presented on Nov. 30 to Lt. Col. Steven L. Morris, USAG Bamberg commander.
Morris will choose the top five issues and send them forward to the Installation Management Command Europe AFAP conference, said Marylou Solorzano, Army Community Service AFAP manager.
The remaining issues will be worked at a local level here, Solorzano said.
"I learned of things that were made possible by AFAP and some of the issues are very important to the community and should be heard," said Sgt. 1st Class Jermaine Drayton, a delegate.
"We can all argue the issue and then agree on a possible solution," Drayton said.
AFAP is the brainchild of Army spouses that wanted to improve the standard of living for their Families.
The history speaks for itself; changes to legislation have occurred, policies have been revisited or established, and programs or services have improved, due to AFAP.
This grass-roots program has addressed 683 issues in its 28-year history, according to Army OneSource.
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