Initiative offers single Airmen off duty activities

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
Airmen assigned here can now participate in a Single Airman Programming Initiative that offers off duty trips to single Airmen. The program is open to active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve enlisted and officer Airmen without spouses.

Operated locally through the 66th Force Support Squadron, this Air Force initiative provides resources to single Airmen that will foster a strong culture, mission and sense of community.

"The Single Airman Programming Initiative was first introduced in October 2011 and has been a huge success at other bases," said Hanscom Command Chief Master Sgt. Craig A. Poling, who also serves as the Hanscom initiative champion. "I hope that all single Airmen, whether enlisted or officer, take full advantage of this program created specifically for them."

The SAPI is the result of feedback obtained during a 2010 Caring for People Forum, 2011 Single Airman Summit and single Airmen focus groups, Hanscom's senior enlisted leader explained.

"With so many wonderful programs for our military families, this initiative offers our single Airmen participation in fun activities alongside other single Airmen," said Courtney Cann, 66 FSS program and project specialist and SAPI program manager.

Among the programs offered are classes, events or special programs that target single Airmen participation.

"The programming focus is recreational, historical, cultural or educational," she said.

Cann adds that another aspect of the program is the purchase of equipment that is available to single Airmen off duty.

"We have bikes and other outdoor equipment that is maintained by Outdoor Recreation for Airmen to use on a first-come, first-serve basis at no or little cost," Cann said.

But as she points out, it's the trips that bring single Airmen together.

"We have several activities planned this summer for single Airmen to take advantage of," she said. "This month we've planned a paintball event on June 13 and an indoor skydiving and surfing event on June 20."

Cann and other organizers have arranged several other trips this summer.

"We also have scheduled mini-speedboat races in Boston; cliff jumping, kayaking and zip lines at Brownstone Park in Connecticut; Segway tours at Gunstock Mountain Adventure Park in Gilford, N.H.; and more," Cann said. "Each of these events will fill up quick so I suggest interested Airmen sign up quickly."

A small fee is charged for each planned activity to cover meals and other miscellaneous costs.

If the dedicated single Airmen slots are not taken, the event is then opened to all other Airmen on base, she added.

For further information on these trips or other aspects of the program, contact Cann at 781-225-1356.