JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- During the May Unit Training Assembly, the 514th Air Mobility Wing’s First Sergeant Council and Top 3 Council organized a Blues Exchange drive at the McGuire Chapel at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., on May 5, 2024.
The drive is designed to assist Airmen of the Freedom Wing donate dress blue uniform items they no longer use and exchange them for uniform items they currently need.
Senior Master Sgt. Escamillio Davis II, the 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight chief, who also occupies the publicist chair for the Freedom Wing Top 3, was a part of the effort.
“Leadership recognized that we had some difficulties with some of our newer Airmen getting blues,” said Davis. “We have some experienced Airmen who may have additional sets of blues so we decided to use the resources we have amongst ourselves.”
Some key people in the decision-making were Master Sgt. Oshanda Erb with the 514th Airlift Squadron who is the president of the First Sergeant Council, and Master Sgt. Crystal Malsom, the Freedom Wing’s resiliency first sergeant, who coordinated with organizations like the USO to gather necessary materials and equipment.
“All our First Sergeants collected uniforms from the different squadrons and brought them here to the exchange drive,” said Davis. “We wanted to have a single location for people to come and pick up what they need. We have all sorts of items like the blues jackets, ribbons, ranks, covers, shoes, and ties.”
The 514th AMW’s First Sergeant Council and Top 3 would like to see the blues exchange drive expand and become a regular opportunity available to the Airmen of the Freedom Wing.
“It’s a great thing that is coming together,” said Davis. “The blues exchange drive comes from humble beginnings but our goal is to see this occur annually and expand in size and scope.”
Any uniform items not claimed by Airmen with the 514th AMW will be donated to the Airmen’s Attic where it will be made available to all Airmen on JBMDL.
“The First Sergeant Council and Top 3 Council want to thank the squadrons of the Freedom Wing for their support and hope to raise awareness to help even more Airmen in the future.