JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
An NCO who created an innovative three-phase approach to self-aid buddy care has been named the Outstanding Academy Military Training Noncommissioned Officer at the U.S. Air Force Academy Aug. 2.
Staff Sgt. Trevor Veitz, a training instructor with the Academy's cadet wing, was presented the honor for providing cadets with a realistic environment during the self-aid buddy care portion of basic cadet training in Jacks Valley, a wooded area on the Academy grounds. The scenarios that Sergeant Veitz developed were designed to break the new trainees out of their comfort level and in the end learn something about themselves during the challenge.
"I have been Staff Sgt. Veitz' s supervisor for almost a year and a half now and I can say that SSgt Veitz brings a level of intensity to our squadron and airmanship programs. It is very rare that a staff sergeant gets selected as an instructor for the Wings of Blue parachute team and he has exceeded our expectations on all levels, said Tech. Sgt. William C. Howell, noncommissioned officer in charge Standardization and Evaluations. "SSgt Veitz designed a course and training that provides basic trainees with war time exercises that are essential in the development of "Battlefield Airman".
Not only did the cadet wing recognize outstanding performance, but so did the 12th Flying Training Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Troy Palmer.
"Sergeant Veitz represented the Academy's 98th and 306th Flying Training Squadrons and Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph's 12th Flying Training Wing spectacularly," said Chief Palmer.
During the last two days of one of his training cycles, Veitz contracted pneumonia, and according to Chief Palmer, his cadet instructor team was able to seamlessly step in with no interruption to the cadets' training.
Staff Sgt. Veitz's received his award at the end of the cadet's basic training camp.