Self-help eliminates some work orders for barracks personnel

FORT JACKSON, SC, UNITED STATES

11.23.2021

Story by Alexandra Shea 

Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office

The return of the Self-Help Center will eliminate the need for certain work orders for those living in Fort Jackson barracks.

“We’ve resourced through the Logistics Readiness Center and our partners at LCI, a whole line of demand-supported facilities focused items that facility managers at the company and battalion level can purchase,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Michaelis, Fort Jackson commanding general. “Things such as light bulbs, shower heads, toilet seats, paint, brushes and so on.”

Previously, those living in the barracks would need to call in a work order through their designated facilities manager, usually a Soldier also living in the barracks, to have repairs or items replaced. Maintenance teams from the Directorate of Public Works would complete and close these work orders.

Depending on the number of open work orders, simple repairs such as replacing a burned out overhead light bulb could take a week or two. With the return of self-help, these repairs can be completed by those living in the barracks within a few hours or days.

“This absolutely will increase the quality of life for them,” said Edward Lefler, LCI assistant manager. “A lot of this stuff they can do on their own so it will be a much quicker process. This will eliminate a lot of work orders so DPW can focus on bigger things.”

With the return of self-help, Soldiers living in barracks will also save money. Additional items available through self-help will be provided so Soldiers will not need to purchase for themselves. This includes items such as toilet plungers, that they wouldn’t want or need to take with them when they move to another duty station.

“This is designed to ensure our leaders can fix what they can fix so our Department of Public Works can focus on larger, more complicated items such as washing machines and HVAC units,” Michaelis said.

Now that self-help is available, barracks Soldiers needing repairs that can be completed by themselves can give a list of needed items to their facility managers. Those managers will then be able to purchase the needed items from LCI and be delivered to the Soldier once purchased.

“Whether it is the barracks or dining facilities, I ask the question to our leaders, ‘Is this someplace you would take your Family? To allow the loved ones of our trainees (and Soldiers) to visit?’” Michaelis said. “If we can assume responsibility, and then (provide) resources to allow basic levels of repairs, we go a long way to that idea of ownership.”

• Date Taken: 11.23.2021
• Date Posted: 11.23.2021 10:26
• Story ID: 409893
• Location: FORT JACKSON, SC, US