RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
An MTI from the 323rd Training Squadron was among nine Airmen named by Air Education and Training Command as 2011 Outstanding Airman of the Year during a ceremony March 18 at the Parr Officer Club, Randolph Air Force Base.
The nine Airmen will go onto compete in the Air Force wide competition.
The categories and winners are:
Military Trainer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Julie D. De Priest
323rd TRS
Military Training Leader of the Year
Master Sgt. Anthony Fisher
81st Training Group, Keesler AFB, Miss.
Recruiter of the Year
Staff Sgt. Megan Stanton
313th Recruiting Squadron, Long Island, N.Y.
Honor Guard Member of the Year
Staff Sgt. Chris B. Hill
Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph AFB
Honor Guard Manager of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Randolph
14th Operations Support Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Shaun Houser
56th Comptroller Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
NCO of the Year
Staff Sgt. Christopher Ferrell
366th Training Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
Senior NCO of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Kathleen McCool
Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph AFB
First Sergeant of the Year
Senior Master Sgt. Mauree C. Powell
Air University HQ, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
The annual Outstanding Airman Program recognizes Airman and their accomplishments in their military career. The program's focus is on the Airman's superior performance and their positive contribution to the Air Force and Community.
Each nominee is chosen by their command on Leadership and Job Performance, Significant Self-Improvement, and Base or Community Involvement. The Airmen must also meet standard in dress and appearance, and a score of 75 or more on their physical fitness test.
Maintaining a positive and professional attitude and to always do your best was an initial motivator for all 25 nominees.
Sergeant De Priest said she always strives for perfection, "My advice to other Airmen would be to remember the standards you learned early on in your career and to constantly work hard to exceed those standards. Never accept mediocrity or think that something is 'good enough'--always strive for perfection."
That attitude was not lost by AETC Command Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody. Chief Cody concurred, "By just spending time with these 25 nominees, I can tell the future of the Air Force is in good hands. Getting to know them and hearing their stories was inspiring.
"Selecting the winners from this group of Airmen was a hard thing to do. Anyone of them could easily be the winner in my eyes," said the chief. "All of these Airmen are truly outstanding and we all should strive to match their level of performance."