Goal day defined: Commander rewards wing for sustained excellence Published April 24, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Forces in Europe leadership delegated the authority to award base goal days, or down days, to wing and numbered air force commanders in December 2011. Spangdahlem leadership then developed a local set of standards which the base must meet or exceed for goal-day eligibility. These standards are measured by delinquency or completion percentages and are separated into categories: performance reports, fitness, training, preventative health assessments and individual medical readiness, the flying hour program, upgrade training, and inspections. Five out of the seven categories must meet a certain criteria for the wing to earn the goal day. For example, the wing must have a delinquency rating of less than or equal to 3 percent of performance reports 30 days past the closeout date and less than or equal to 1 percent 60 days past the closeout date. The category is considered "green" if both of those requirements are satisfied. "The [metrics] set the expectation so people know what to strive for, get to that level and then exceed it," said Maj. Chris Wilson, former 52nd Fighter Wing director of staff. "It's a reward, but it's also a way to reinforce those standards across the wing." Each group has their own internal metrics, but wing leadership meets quarterly to compile the data and evaluate if a goal day is warranted, he continued. Wing and NAF commanders can then plot the day off in the upcoming quarter. "Taking care of people and accomplishing the mission is a delicate balance," Wilson said. "The metrics allow base commanders to gauge success of their units in both of these realms. It also empowers the commanders to reward their own people for good performance." USAFE leadership used command-wide goal day metrics before delegating the authority to wing and NAF commanders. The command would evaluate the metrics from each wing, and if one base did not meet the standards, no base received the reward. Spangdahlem Airmen value time off to be with their friends and families, said Col. Chris Weggeman, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, and the goal-day program can be a deserved reward for the wing's performance. "Goal days are earned through sustained excellence," he said. "It's the easiest way to say, 'Thank you,' and it's my expectation that this wing will be very successful in continuing to earn these goal days."