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Shifting tactics: 87th SFS members gain time, remain vigilant

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  An Air Force mandated initiative will reduce all 87th Security Forces Squadron personnel from 12-hour shifts to eight-hour shifts beginning Feb. 24, 2013.

The initiative will require changes at the following three gates:

- The Wrightstown Gate will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

- The Pemberton Gate will operate from 7-9 a.m., and 2:15-4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. Primary use of this gate is to facilitate school bus and parent drop off/pick-up.

- The Pinehurst Gate will close to routine traffic.

The shift change is designed to increase comprehensive fitness of our service
members and civilian personnel, provide savings of $1.1 million in overtime costs and improve situational awareness, safety and security.

"A normal 12-hour shift usually extends to 14 hours with pre- and post-shift briefs, cutting down on the members' free time," said Lt. Col. Jeremy Novak, 87th SFS commander. "By shortening their shift, we're also enabling the members to retain peak situational awareness throughout the entirety of their shift."

The changes also increase security and reduce vulnerabilities without degrading law-enforcement coverage across the joint base, added Novak.

The shorter shifts will enhance the comprehensive fitness of all 87th SFS members by freeing up time to spend with their families, pursue educational degrees and improve resiliency throughout the unit.

"It's hard for me to get on a normal schedule because I'm a night shift worker," said Staff Sgt. Gonzalo Millan, 87th SFS desk sergeant. "With an eight-hour schedule, I'll be able to rest and spend time with my family back in New York. I also plan to attend more schooling to finish my Community College of the Air Force degree and then go for my bachelors in homeland security."

The shift change is part of a larger initiative called "Defender's Edge," which is intended to improve Airmen's mental resiliency to combat-related stress.

"'Defender's Edge,' requires 20 hours of resiliency training and in addition to instituting combatives," said Novak. The program focuses more on the warrior's mindset. In conjunction with the shift change, allows for additional training."