Grissom Inn named best in AFRC

Published March 29, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Offering some of the finest amenities and services in the Air Force, the Grissom Inn and the men and women of the 434th Force Support Squadron who operate it were recently named the best in the Air Force Reserve Command for large inns.

This honor not only means the inn is the best large inn in the command, but it is also the chosen representative of the Air Force Reserve to compete in the Air Force Innkeeper competition.

"Each year the Air Force Services Agency, conducts an awards program for lodging, and each (major command) is allowed to select one large and one small inn to go forward," explained Mr. Alan Ray, AFRC deputy chief of services. "It's like a beauty pageant; these are the top ten in their category."

From those ten, the AFSVA will choose four of the inns to visit and inspect personally. From those four a winner will be chosen.

But, even being eligible to enter the competition is no small task.

"Each Air Force Inn undergoes a yearly certification process, and the checklist used to scrutinize our operation is extensive with a total of 452 graded areas and 1,783 possible points," said Mary McLean, Grissom Inn general manager. "In order to compete for the award, you have to have 90 or above which really narrows the field."

And, the Grissom Inn staff not only got above a 90, they increased their score from a 74 to a 94 in just one year putting them ahead of the pack in AFRC. Only three other large inns in AFRC were eligible, according to Mr. Ray.

"Grissom has got an outstanding lodging program, and they're going to make an outstanding candidate for AFRC in the large category," he said. "With their personnel, programs and facilities, they have an excellent chance to make the top four or higher."

And, Ms. McLean agrees with that statement, putting emphasis on the importance of having the right people for the job.

"We definitely have the people for it, and it's the people that make the difference," she said. "You can have an old hotel, but if you have the right people you can win; likewise, you can have a new hotel, but if you don't have the people you can get very low scores."

Now, as the Grissom Inn prepares to submit their final package for the competition, Ms. McLean said the staff feels validated in the service they provide day-in and day-out.

"They all stand a little taller because they realize 'I'm not just doing a job, I'm doing the best job I can do,'" she added. "It's a big deal."

Despite the accolades afforded from being named the best, Rita Baker, Grissom Inn guest services manager, said it's not just winning a competition that's important.

"At the end of the day, you feel good about taking care of your guests," said Ms. Baker. "It gives you a proud feeling."

Grissom is home of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in AFRC.

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