Cost Conscious Culture C3 Published June 14, 2013 By 1st Lt. ALLEN DISMUKE Jr. 56th Comptroller Squadron LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Money doesn't grow on trees! This is an age-old adage that everyone has probably heard from their parents at least once in their lifetime. This axiom still holds true today as the Defense Department is under sequestration and the U.S. Air Force experiences a cash flow issue during fiscal 2013. Specifically, Air Education and Training Command is experiencing a shortage of $188 million, which puts the command's mission of producing quality Airmen for the rest of the Air Force at risk. One solution AETC has pushed to its bases is the idea of creating a cost conscious culture, also known as "C3." C3 is a mindset, and if every Airman learns to be cost conscious of their actions, then collectively, Luke Air Force Base could help save the major command a significant amount of money over time. Besides pay and other benefits, utilities make up one of the largest bills paid by installations. Last fiscal year, Luke AFB spent $4.2 million in utility costs and this year the base is on track to exceed that by $700,000. If every Airman started by turning off lights when leaving a room and turning off computer monitors at the end of the day, Luke AFB could save at least $40,000 a year in utility costs. However, C3 doesn't stop there. Remember it's a culture. Therefore, C3 calls for Airmen to examine day-to-day processes and routines. Air Force leadership set a challenge to discontinue wasteful ways of doing business and usher in a wave of innovation to improve the mission and add to the financial bottom line. If every Airman in AETC saves just $3 per day, the command has a potential of saving $37 million. Share cost-saving ideas with leadership and submit them to AETC by visiting the command's C3 website at www.aetc.af.mil/ library/costconsciousculture and clicking the "C3 Idea Submission" link on the right side of the page.