More than two weeks into Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia's (EURAFSWA) "Energy Biggest Loser" competition, Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella leads all other region installations in energy-use reduction.

To date, NAS Sigonella has achieved a 10 percent reduction in energy-use compared to previous consumption during the same time period of previous years. The trend is encouraging, and though the $70,000 contest grand prize is motivating, the real question is whether this effort will result in long-term behavioral changes.

Some Sigonella energy managers are convinced that permanent changes have already begun. They said they believe that the base trend is not only sustainable, but an outlier of an underlying cultural shift here; something that the U.S. Navy would like to permeate and endure throughout Navy communities.

"I think the reason we are leading the contest is not due to changes made by staff just so we can do well in this contest," said J.P. Thomasseau, deputy director, Public Works. "I believe it's the overall changes our population has made over the last year. Culturally, we are slowly changing the way our Sig' citizens use their resources."

If Thomasseau's assessment is accurate, it will be much welcomed news. He said that, as a grandfather, he worries about the condition of the planet his grandchildren will inherit.

"Transforming the ideologies of a culture is very hard, but absolutely essential," he added. "I'd like for there to be enough clean air, clean water, and clean food for my grandson. Besides I'm cheap. I don't want to pay for items that I don't use. That includes fuels, water, [and] energy that I pay for, but don't actually use."

This year's competing region installations have reduced consumption 2.9 percent overall. Simple ways to save energy include switching off lights, turning off unused office equipment, closing doors and windows, and adjusting the thermostat temperature to 25°C (77°F) or higher during the summer months.

Master Chief Petty Officer Master-at-Arms Mark Wojtal, NAS Sigonella's acting command master chief, agreed with Thomasseau's statement regarding the difficulties of changing an organization's culture.

"It's easy in theory, but the shift takes time and effort to turn around" said Wojtal, a 25-year veteran who remembers the days when the Navy threw everything off the sides of its ships and disposed of plastics by simply burning them. "It's amazing to see how we manage our resources, compared to when I joined the Navy. This is one of those good cultural changes that are taking place during my service."

Wojtal, Thomasseau, and other Sigonella leaders continue to ask base employees - uniformed and civilian alike - to spread the word about energy savings, first through actions, then through words.

"Leaders are first doers," Wojtal said. "Let's not forget we are saving money, resources, and trying to make our base a better place to live and work. We take care of us first, and it will begin to affect our civilian communities."

The EURAFSWA Energy Biggest Loser competition is part of the Navy's ongoing energy conservation initiatives and energy strategy, which is centered on energy security, efficiency and sustainability.

The competition among the region's installations runs July 1-31 and pits bases against each other to see which can reduce energy-use the most during the month. The biggest energy-loser will receive $70,000 to use toward base improvements; second and third place "losers" will receive $50,000 and $30,000 respectively.

For more information on the competition, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/ebl

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit www.navy.mil/