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JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 6, 2013

Air Force honors Security Forces Airman

By Mike Joseph Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Public Affairs

A master sergeant assigned to Headquarters Air Force Security Forces Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland recently received the first Air Force-level award for the center since its relocation to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in the late 1990s.

Master Sgt. Kevin Lavalais, HQ AFSFC Security Forces formal training manager, was selected Headquarters Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for the April-June 2013 award period.

"It's a huge milestone for us," said Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Wilson, HQ/AFSFC manager. "We've been here for a long time and have never won (an Air Force-level award) since we moved here.

"We work for Air Staff, but we are also part of the joint partner community in San Antonio," he said. "For us, it was big because it recognizes all the contributions Sgt. Lavalais is making. The JBSA community is affecting things Air Force-wide that Headquarters Air Force recognized. That's pretty cool."

Lavalais said he was shocked by the selection.

"Some people never get an award at that level, so it was a shock," he said. "I really appreciate it; however, it's a team effort."

Wilson said Lavalais not only went above and beyond at his job, but also outside the work station.

"(Work wise), he impacted the enlisted and officer career fields for Security Forces," the chief said. "He also got involved mentoring other Airmen, like at FTAC (First Term Airman's Center), and became a part of the JBSA community."

Lavalais developed an implementation plan for integrating the first-ever Department of Defense mandated military police training standards into Air Force training.

He also teamed up with the Security Forces career field manager in guiding the creation of a comprehensive lifecycle training plan. The plan changes the way Security Forces organize, train and equip, which will impact the next 20 years of Security Forces training.

In addition, Lavalais guided the implementation and the first-ever publishing of the Security Forces Officer Career Field Education and Training Plan.

"It's a good feeling to know you helped your career field succeed not only for a year, but down the road," Lavalais said. "You want to contribute and be sure you left it in a better place."

Four Air Force-wide programs Lavalais piloted also garnered recognition and were instrumental in the HQ AFSFC training section being chosen the Alamo Federal Executive Board Large Team of the Year over 53 other San Antonio federal agencies.

Along with his work accomplishments, Lavalais earned the Defender's Edge Instructor certification. The certification enables Lavalais to mentor Airmen on resiliency and comprehensive fitness.

He also completed the University of California Analytical Investigative Course, led two JBSA-Lackland 5/6 speed mentoring sessions for NCOs, and was a member of the Airman Leadership School Mentorship Council and the JBSA-Lackland Top III Professional Military education committee.