JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Are you familiar with the term "STP"? I'm not referring to the motor oil or the rock band from the 1990's, but to the "Same Ten People." I am talking about the concept in which it is always the same 10 people supporting causes or attending events. Is this your unit?
I have had several conversations with various units' noncommissioned officers recently regarding the reasons behind unit morale changes, how workload is sometimes unevenly distributed and the inconsistent support of professional organizations. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that the STP concept may be in effect here at Joint Base Charleston.
Ask yourself this: Who are the most dependable and impacting members of your unit's booster club? I bet they are sharp, hard charging Airmen that when tasked to execute morale events or unit fundraisers, get the job done. But, how often are these Airmen expected to perform these tasks? Are we asking them to do more than their share?
In addition to unit booster club requirements, units often get tasked to support special projects outside of their normal duties. Most of the time supervisors ask proven performers to complete these special projects because we, as leadership, trust that they will get the job done. Now, think about the last professional organization meeting; can you remember who you saw in attendance? How many of the same individuals that support booster clubs or lead special projects were in attendance? Why do we usually see the same individuals consistently stepping-up? Are we over-tasking our best performers and in effect, becoming guilty of endorsing the STP concept?
Air Force Instruction 36-2618 provides guidance and defines our enlisted responsibilities. It states we all have the responsibility to promote organizational esprit de corps and to promote professional organizations as well as unit, base and Air Force events. Also, per the Air Force Core Values, we all have the responsibility to accomplish our assigned duties to the best of our ability. Each member in the organization contributes to the morale and mission of the unit. It is everyone's responsibility to be involved, not just the STP.