Career toolboxes get a boost from 5 days of classes, assessments Published Nov. 2, 2012 By Amy Rollins Skywrighter Staff WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- Several hundred employees at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base chose to develop new skills for their career toolbox, enhance their knowledge of the base and learn ways to better care for themselves through nutrition and exercise during the final Focus Week of 2012. Held the week of Oct. 15, the five-day span offered classes and events designed to help employees focus on needed job skills and personal development -- at little to no impact on base budgets. Coordinating the week's schedule was Marcia Baker, management and program analyst, Education and Training. "Old standbys" included a base history tour; Firearms Training Simulator (FATS Training); Resume Writing; 445th Airlift Wing C-17 Tour; Frontline Supervisor Training; and Military Working Dog Demonstration/Tour. Newer notable classes ranged from Customer Service/ Leadership and Fall Harvest Foods to Adobe Acrobat. Demonstrating her commitment to Focus Week in a tangible way was first-time instructor Col. Cassie B. Barlow, 88th Air Base Wing commander, who taught "Making Next Year Your Best!" in Bldg. 10 on Oct. 18. Based on Jinny S. Ditzler's book, Your Best Year Yet!, the class on motivation, values and goal setting was so well received, Colonel Barlow already has committed to teaching it again in January. "Today is all about YOU," the colonel said as she distributed course materials. "This class is basically goal setting, whether those are professional goals, whether they're personal goals, family goals -- it doesn't matter, it's about you. It's about digging deep." Appreciating and acknowledging the past -- its stumbling blocks, lessons learned and achievements -- is an integral part of the class, as is a positive internal focus. "The idea is to use some of that positive energy to do goal planning for the future," Colonel Barlow said. "At the end, you will have at least your top 10 goals. Most importantly, this whole day is about a system of planning that you can take and use in the future." Colonel Barlow said she took the class years ago and saw its value in her life. "Now I know where to guide myself for the next year," she said, "to pick the things that are important to me based on my goals. "Goals lead to success. Research shows time and time again that when we set goals, we're successful," the colonel added. Another Focus Week course on success was led by Chief Master Sgt. John Mazza, 88 ABW Command Chief, who instructed Company-Grade Officers about EPR and Promotions for Enlisted. Also worth highlighting was the "Never Dread Another Meeting" course, held via the DCO-Defense Connect Online. "The DCO is the use of the classroom online. It reaches a lot of people. You can be right at your desk and still get the benefit of the classroom," Ms. Baker said. More DCO classes will be offered during the next Focus Week, and DCO also may be utilized for meetings, she noted. In fact, DCO may be utilized by other bases, including Eglin AFB and Hanscom AFB, to tap into Wright-Patt's next Focus Week. "We've been contacted by other bases wanting in on our Focus Weeks," Ms. Baker said. "We're going to try to feature some of our more popular courses via DCO." To promote continued good health, free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings as well as many other nutrition and wellness classes were offered. All participants were encouraged to complete anonymous online feedback forms, for which the links were e-mailed to them a few days following each class. The evaluations are seen as valuable feedback. "That is where we get the information to formulate our next Focus Week," Ms. Baker said. "We want to hear what you have to say. We have classes this time because of what you said before; you told us you need some more computer classes. We got you Adobe, we got you Sharepoint. We try to listen to what you say you need. The colonel does see all feedback, and it is anonymous." Registration for Focus Weeks is open to all 88th Air Base Wing employees, military, civilian and contractors (as the contract allows). The wider WPAFB audience is encouraged to attend as space allows. Ms. Baker is asking for subject matter experts (SMEs) interested in teaching a course to come forward and contact her. Several SMEs already have done so. Upcoming Focus Weeks · Jan. 28- Feb 1 · April 15-19 · July 15-19 · Oct. 21-25 Anticipate registration for the January Focus Week to be open Jan. 14, 2013, Ms. Baker said. To contact Marcia Baker, call 904-4790.