More than just ‘fun and games’ Published Nov. 24, 2014 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Providing the best entertainment and quality-of-life programs isn't all fun and games at Robins Air Force Base. It takes a lot of money to provide the variety of programs, activities, and facilities that make Robins Air Force Base a more enjoyable place to live and work, and since the majority of 78th FSS activities and facilities are self-sustaining, it takes a lot of work to keep the operation afloat. Mick Szymanski, 78th Force Support Squadron director, said Robins is doing a good job of keeping Robins' quality of life above par. "The program managers and staff here at Robins are exceptional and work very hard to deliver outstanding programs," he said. "Overall, we're doing well and have slightly exceeded the Air Force standard for Net Income after Depreciation of 7 percent." Though 78th FSS' facilities and programs are high performers overall, Szymanski said there's always room for improvement. "The squadron is always looking for feedback from our customers on how we are doing and what we can do to improve the quality of life at Robins," he said. "One area we're always working on improving is our customer service. We recognize our customers have choices, and price and convenience aren't enough to be anyone's first choice. We need to provide superior customer service." Szymanski said the dollars generated by its programs allow the base to provide special programs like the recent Fall Bash and provide dollars to support unit functions and single airman events. Additionally, the revenues are used to reinvest in equipment and furnishings such as the recent renovation of the bowling center on base, Szymanski said. "We also invest in new community programs," he said. "The latest is a splash park that's expected to open next spring next to the base pool. "We expect this to be a very popular addition for our families," he added. Robins' Civilian Welfare Fund operates the Base Restaurant, mobile food fleet and snack bars in the complex on base. The CWF is also a non-appropriated fund, self-sustaining function and is used primarily to support the civilian workforce on base. The revenues are used to sustain the operation, offering quality products at reduced prices. They also provide morale activities and events for the base civilian population. The Morale Welfare and Recreation Fund includes all the cost-sharing NAF and self-sustaining NAF operations on base, Szymanski said. "The combined revenue is used to improve the overall quality of life for our Airman and families who live, work, learn and play at Robins," he said. "The dollars necessary to build the new splash park came from many sources over a long period of time." Szymanski said it would take the bowling center selling nearly a million hamburgers to pay for the new addition. "There are times when one activity or another is experiencing financial challenges," he said. "The whole fund is used to cover any losses incurred. We have to remember that the MWR Fund is not tax based. It has to generate dollars in order to maintain operations and make payroll." Szymanski said the best way to ensure we continue to have the quality, reasonably priced programs and activities is to use them.