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The Air Force Services Agency (AFSVA), headquartered in San Antonio, is a field operating agency of Headquarters U.S. Air Force Services, Washington, D.C. It was formed during the reorganization of Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Services functions in 1993.

Mission

AFSVA supports the bases, major commands and Air Staff by providing technical assistance, fielding new initiatives, developing procedures and managing selected central support functions to ensure successful Services programs. The agency's responsibilities include developing and disseminating procedures to implement policy, preparing responses to high-level inquiries, providing technical assistance to the field, and developing new programs that support major command and installation activities. The agency manages Air Force central nonappropriated funds (NAFs) and operates central systems for field support such as banking, investments, purchasing, data flow, insurance and benefits programs, and the personnel system. HQ AFSVA supports the Air Force Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Advisory Board and interacts with other agencies and armed services in areas affecting Services.

Personnel

AFSVA has approximately 400 Air Force military and civilian personnel assigned.

Organization

The agency is composed of six directorates to manage all Services worldwide:

The Directorate of Financial Management and Comptroller manages, supports and provides quality financial service to the agency, major commands and NAF instrumentalities worldwide. It provides treasury management service; individual staff assistance visits; written NAF accounting procedures; procedures relating to appropriated fund resources; and contractual debt collection. The directorate also provides guidance on the Air Force-wide cash investment and management of NAF monies; decentralized Air Force NAF payroll, portability and intern programs; central accounting for Air Force construction programs; numerous personnel benefit programs such as retirement, insurance and 401K programs; and central fund accounting.

The Directorate of Force Management and Personnel provides operational procedures and staff supervision for Air Force-wide Services programs, including the NAF personnel program, employee benefits and compensation services, various Air Force insurance programs, the NAF Facility Construction Program, the Services career field training program and special projects.

The Directorate of Management Systems is the single manager of the Air Force wide Services communications-computer systems (C-CS). The directorate plans, develops, manages and controls the use and integration of Services field and headquarters level C-CS systems.

The Directorate of Operations provides training and customer service to field commanders in the area of food service, lodging, troop support, food procurement, computer systems, readiness, clubs and mortuary affairs. It provides technical oversight of 296 appropriated fund dining facilities, serving 43.5 million meals annually and oversees 96 lodging operations, generating in excess of $128 million in annual revenue. The directorate provides program management of all troop support functions, with sales more than $150 million to Air Force dining facilities and nonappropriated food activities, and operates the appropriated fund and NAF Prime Vendor food procurement programs. It develops, modernizes and sustains automation systems supporting Air Force lodging, food service and readiness operations. Plus, the directorate provides technical oversight of 177 Air Force clubs, while providing guidance regarding alternative food services, Air Force Signature Brand and name brand food, beverage and entertainment options. It provides wartime guidance for Services operations, develops deployable force packages, and oversees the field equipment modernization program, and manages the Mortuary Affairs Program, including disposition, care for surviving family members and military honors. The Directorate of NAF Purchasing is responsible for maximizing the economic benefits of corporate purchasing for worldwide NAF organizations by executing purchasing programs with decentralized purchasing opportunities. The directorate provides guidance, procedures and NAF purchasing training. An on-going program, known as the Commanders' Smart Buy Program, promotes the effectiveness of purchasing as a management tool. The CSBP is designed to assist all commanders, regardless of service component, in acquiring quality products at favorable prices.

The Directorate of Programs assists managers in operating Air Force Services programs including fitness, recreation, sports, libraries and information centers, child development and youth activities, entertainment, snack bars, amusement machine programs, logistics service and marketing.

History

The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Program has been recognized as being essential for creating and maintaining the morale of military personnel. Services programs have long provided essential food, lodging and services for military members.

MWR programs were first introduced during the Revolutionary War. With the establishment of a huge "citizen" army during World War I, the United Service Organizations was founded along with programs like library services, troop canteens and sports programs. In 1920, the Army Motion Picture Service was set up and was soon to be followed by the founding of service clubs later during World War II.

Services programs also began during the Revolutionary War, with billeting and food facilities serving as fundamental necessities for military troops. Services' roots sprang from the supply and civil engineering career fields and branched off as its own entity in 1992.

In 1992, MWR and Services merged Air Force wide, with the new name, the Air Force Morale, Welfare, Recreation, and Services Agency. In 1993, the agency was renamed "Services," reflecting the merger's success and focusing directly on what their programs are all about -- service.

POINT OF CONTACT

Air Force Services Agency, Public Affairs Office; 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 402; San Antonio, Texas 78216-4138; DSN 487-4945 or (210) 652-4945.

Above Information Courtesy of United States Air Force