USAF has a new motto

[GunnyGene]

If it's simple and reliable, REPLACE IT.

Just got back from the CAFB Pharmacy. They have a new "Take A Number" machine. The old machine you just punched 1 of 4 buttons and it spit out your call number. You'd wait a max of about 10 minutes before they called you up to get your prescription and you're done.

Apparently that wasn't acceptable anymore, so they installed a NEW IMPROVED COMPUTER/VIDEO GAME MACHINE. Scan your ID (if it worked, which it didn't), or punch some other icons and eventually the thing would reluctantly give you a call number. Took nearly an hour before I was called. The waiting area was filled up with about 75 pissed off old farts (including me and I let it be known), and some Major was running back & forth trying to speed things up. Not having much success, so he quit and handed the task of educating us - one old fart at a time - on the NEW IMPROVED COMPUTER/VIDEO GAME MACHINE to some 2nd Louie who looked like he didn't want to be there either. :x

Some of the folks looked like they were about ready to beat that NEW IMPROVED COMPUTER/VIDEO GAME MACHINE to death with their canes and walkers. :wink:

I don't know what this thing cost the taxpayers, but whatever it was it was too much. :x

 

[Goldstar225]

Hope they don't send one my way. My typical wait time with the current 4 option machine is more like 20-30 minutes but it doesn't need to be added to.

 

[Cholo]

Sounds like typical gov't BS. If it's broke, don't fix it. If it isn't broke, break it.

 

[Fox Mike]

Aberdeen Proving Ground decided to install a device, at the entrance gates, to scan your ID so you could drive in without being held up by non ID individuals. It was so screwed up they are back to physically inspecting each ID as you enter. Technology isn't always the answer.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Gunny-is the pharmacy there contracted out?
Five years ago I had to take the d-i-l there and it was glacially slow.

 

[GunnyGene]

Gunny-is the pharmacy there contracted out?
Five years ago I had to take the d-i-l there and it was glacially slow.

Mostly contract people. Some military. Generally speaking they do a good job. But I think this new system, which just came on line yesterday was a big mistake from the patrons standpoint, but that would be on the USAF not the contractors.

 

[Fox Mike]

Kirk Army Clinic, where I get my prescriptions, has had a similar system there for years and it works fine.

 

[DeletedMember275]

Yeah, the clinic here in Korea (Camp Walker) has one of them things, too. It scans a CAC card reasonably well; the old style IDs (like your retired ID) not nearly as well. We usually end up having to type in my wife's SSN whenever she goes for an appointment.

 

[Jeepnik]

ON the positive side Camp Pendelton (perhaps the entire USMC) recently made a change that is surprising in this day of out sourcing.

The Marines had been using a contract outfit to issue access badges to contract personnel. Apparently there were some issues (no one is talking, but it had to be serious). So they fired the contract outfit and took it back in house.

Now here's the really surprising part. To get a badge through the contractor required that the business pay a fee to "register". Then there was another fee per employee. And, it still took three to four weeks.

The Marines issue badges for free and it took me about an hour. Why so long you ask? Well it seems they wouldn't believe me that I had no finger prints until they tried for about 45 minutes to get them. Once convinced I had no prints they just overrode that requirement.

Oh, the back ground check that took the previous vendor weeks took the Marines about ten minutes. Even without prints.

So, I feel there may be hope for the military, well the Marines at least, yet.