New dining hall policies paying dividends for Team MacDill Published April 7, 2011 By Nick Stubbs 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Add a new menu; open dining rules to include family members and civilians; simmer for three months and what have you got? An overall positive experience and a greater "sense of community" at MacDill, said Michael Pardue, referring to the new way things are being done at the Diner's Reef on base. The changes have not been without their hiccups, he said - with most of the adjustment revolving around serving more diners than ever - but that's been more than offset by the positive aspects of enlisted military members being able to sit down with family members and civilian coworkers for their meals in the "chow hall." That's a step in the right direction for improving social well being and relationships, one of the pillars of the Comprehensive Airman Fitness program, said Mr. Pardue. The dining hall went from serving 600 to 700 meals a day prior to the changes in December 2010 to about 1,500, said Mr. Pardue. Through the winter months, that increase included a good number of FamCampers and veterans, but the bottom line is service has doubled, prompting a renovation and expansion of the dining hall to increase indoor seating from 245 to 315, and an additional 100 outdoor patio seats. Until the expansion is complete, keeping diners happy will mean some scheduling tactics will be employed, including the current limiting of 11 a.m. to noon to active duty military members only. "We've had to make adjustments," said Mr. Pardue. "The good news is we are seeing a greater sense of community." Particularly noticeable is spouses with children joining servicemembers for breakfast, said Mr. Pardue. Families also are opting to dine together in the evenings. "It's become the restaurant of choice on base," said Mr. Pardue.