The Interactive Customer Evaluation (or “ICE”) comment system is one of my favorite things about services on military bases. Through it I feel like I have a way to voice my concerns over things that need to be addressed but may otherwise go unnoticed, or compliment people for a job well done.
This system, available for every service and every base across the military, is by no means new — but it is sometimes underutilized. And while it may not work quite as well on every base out there as it should, in my experience it is by far the most effective way to make stuff happen.
But some I talk to don’t see the value in ICE or are unsure how to use it in a way that brings outcomes. Others don’t even know what it is. To me, a world class ICE user, this is just a tragedy.
Using ICE is fairly simple. When you come across a service you’d like to make a comment on, simply follow these steps:
- Visit the ICE main site
- Locate your base or post
- Pick the category under which the service you’re looking for will likely appear
- Fill out the comment card
- Send!
So easy.
I have also found following a few simple guidelines brings the best results while helping you, the commenter, feel like you’re not just shouting into empty space. And so I bring you …
Amy’s ICE Rules
– Comment Often: I try to file a comment at some point about every on base service I use. What did I like about it? What did I not like about it? What is great and what can be improved?
– Develop a schedule: I make a list (whether hard or mental) of the services about which I need to leave comments. Then, instead of spending time messing with Facebook, once a week I write them up and send them in.
– Give the people you’re commenting about the benefit of the doubt. I never complain about something until I see the problem twice. Maybe someone is just having a bad day or the person who cleans the lockers called in sick. But if the locker room is disgusting two or three times in a row – it’s time to hit the ICE system.
– Don’t just complain – compliment! File ICE comments when you see people doing a great job, not just when they need a swift kick to the pants.
– Always give your name and contact information and request follow-up. I’m sure there are situations where you don’t want the person or service you’re commenting on to know who you are – but I’ve yet to personally come across one. By leaving your name and contact information and telling them you want a follow-up, you give the message that this is a subject about which you are invested. If you’re commenting on a problem you can use active help with, this will make sure you get it. If you are complaining about something less life changing – like a constantly overflowing trash can at the playground – you at least give the message to the reader that this is something you really want to see fixed.
– And, finally, remember that if someone doesn’t say something, the problem will likely never get fixed. Yes, it is the job of the Child and Youth Service’s director to make sure her people are doing their job. But she can’t be everywhere at once – you get to be eyes on the scene, too.
Now go and comment on something! And to those are already awesome ICE users — share some vicitory stories in the comment section.
About Amy Bushatz
Comments
ICE has been really beneficial for us here in Quantico, We put in an ice comment because base housing kept messing up paperwork and move ins to about 5 Marines and their families in my husbands unit, including our own. Some were left homeless, others lost their home after signing the lease (us) and the housing office was just plain rude and not taking responsibility for their mistakes. Then we put a detailed professional ICE comment in, and the next morning the District director and the Family Director called to have a meeting with us on the issues. The meeting went really well, they had a lot of heat from the base commander on resolving the issues (we documented everything) and the family that were homeless because of housings mistake were then placed into a home and major changes happened almost immediately. ICE is a great way to put your comments in and improve life for military families. I wish more people put in feedback so really make change for the positive.
"Commander of the Force Support Squadron" is service specific for "local big boss." … a little translating for y'all :-)
Thanks for the tips! I had no idea that ICE was so useful. I always complain to my husband that I wish there were better ways to provide feedback so I'm thrilled to know now that there are! Sadly though there are very few options for commenting here in Bethesda, but I am happy to see that our next duty station lets you comment on just about anything.
ICE comments here at Zama used to get a lot of results quickly. But now we have a new commander, and it seems ICE comments just go into a black hole. But overall the ICE system is one of the military's better ideas.
ICE is a very bad system here at Polk, if you leave your name they send it to your chain of command and they will retailate against whoever speaks negatively of any services they provide. I would recommend not using it here.
Why have all the 4th of July activities on base been canceled I get not having fireworks but all the other fun activities were also canceled this is just horrible it is just a way for the base commander to save money this is just plan bad for everyone especially the children maybe we should just say this for all the holidays why rule just one out screw it go all the way and cancel all and every holiday if there is no celebration of our independence then what do we have left bad Commander
I can't get the Aviano ICE to come up at all
I would like to post , why is it that the retirement process on Fort Campbell so chewed up. I mean a Soldier follows all procedures put in place and still retirement packets get lost and civilians treat you like crap by lieing you about processing your packet and after you conduct a follow up it turns out that your packet hadn't even left thier desk. I believe that after a Soldier serve his country Honorably he should have to be subject to all of this when requesting to move on with his life with his family.