374th Military Personnel Section helps Airmen save time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 374th Military Personnel Section is working to give Team Yokota better customer service.

The MPS used to be a walk-in office, but now they are implementing an appointment system for patrons to make appointments.

1st Lt. Kailin Kwan, Chief of the 374th MPS, said they want to provide better customer service.

"Our manning has been decreasing pretty consistently here in the MPS, so we want to better serve our customers and decrease their wait time," said Lieutenant Kwan. "The wait time can vary from the beginning of the month to the end, so we wanted to give the customer a consistent look at the time and services that are available to them."

The new appointment policy began on October 18 as a trial run.

"We have walk-in hours Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.," said Lieutenant Kwan. "Our appointment hours are from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday."

Lieutenant Kwan said that MPS is planning on transitioning more appointment hours starting in November and to full time appointments by the end of December.

Since this is still a new system, MPS has not received much feedback. Lieutenant Kwan hopes to get the word out as the office is transitioning into appointment only.

"We're shooting for better customer service through the appointment systems so people don't have to wait," said Lieutenant Kwan.

Lieutenant Kwan said that MPS will still serve walk-in customers with emergency situations such as losing an ID card or serving a dependent or retiree who has traveled a few hours.

The MPS Chief also commented that there will also be a customer service desk located in their office for patrons to drop off any paperwork they might have with one of the representatives.

Customers can make appointments by calling the MPS office at 225-9913, visiting www.yokotasupport.com or stopping into the office to check for cancelations or openings.

"I think it will work because it gives time back to the member, where they can be more efficient with their time rather than waiting," LieutenantKwan said.