Motivating Airmen “Back into the Blue”

***image1***Folding hospital corners, receiving uniform inspections and performing
reveille and retreat ceremonies are daily occurrences for the Airmen
attending the Ramstein Area Motivational Program.

The Airmen who attend RAMP have received an Article 15, are between the
ranks of an airman basic and a staff sergeant and have been ordered by
their commanders to attend up to 30 days in the program. The primary
mission of the program is to remotivate and “reblue” the Airmen and
send them back to their assigned units.

“We have an 88 percent success rate,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Gallina,
RAMP NCO in charge of correctional custody. “RAMP saved the Air Force
$1.6 million in 2005 in replacement training costs.”

In 2005, 88 Airmen attended the program. RAMP tracks the Airmen who
complete the program at three, six and 12 month periods. If the Airman
does not have any disciplinary issues after 12 months, the Airman is
considered a success, said Sergeant Gallina.  

“I think more commanders should utilize the program,” said Airman 1st
Class Tylor Shellenberger, a RAMP candidate on his 27th day of 30 in
the program, assigned to the 39th Air Base Wing. “I am really glad I
came here and I have seen a lot of changes in the other Airmen here
with me.”  

Airman Shellenberger was assigned the “senior candidate” by the RAMP
cadre for his good performance and attitude. The senior candidate is
given leadership responsibilities in order to help other Airmen in the
program.

The program runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of which
holiday an Airman’s time may fall, said Sergeant Gallina.  A RAMP
day starts at 4:45 a.m with lights out by 9 p.m. There are uniform and
room inspections, formation movements and three hours of classroom time
each day. RAMP includes a privilege program where Airmen can earn base
liberty and phone calls home.  

RAMP services all of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases, he said.
There are four other motivational programs located throughout the Air
Force at Luke, Fairchild, Lackland and Keesler.  

Although Ramstein’s program has had a great success rate, the program
has never been booked to capacity. RAMP can take up to 20 Airmen at a
time, however, the program has never had more than 13 Airmen at one
time, said Sergeant Gallina.