Chief explains what it takes to be recognized

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Cathi Durick
  • 65th Air Base Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant
LAJES FIELD, AZORES (USAFENS) --  The question lingers: What does it take to be recognized? For Airmen and noncommissioned officers, recognition can be a confusing issue, so let’s talk quarterly awards.

What does it take to get recognized? For Airmen and NCOs, recognition as a quarterly or annual award winner can be a bullet on a performance report, for senior NCOs, a stratifying statement for promotion. As we progress in our careers, competing against peers and winning may be a deciding factor in assignments, STEP promotions, SNCO board scores, in-residence professional military education and more.

Over the years, (and it’s been almost 26 of them) I’ve been on hundreds of boards and have developed a sense of what it takes to be an award winner. Job knowledge and performance are the key here. Did you impact your work center, flight, squadron or major command by doing something faster, better or cheaper? Just being key to the squadron winning an award doesn’t really say anything. What did you do, or what did your Airman do, to guarantee that award?

Quantifying is important but don’t exaggerate. I’d like to see all the money and manpower we supposedly saved the Air Force over the past several years that I’ve seen in packages. With some of these exaggerations, the Air Force would be able to fund a lot of quality of life projects.

All nominees do great things on their primary job, but winning a tie-breaker is usually because the “other” categories are strong. Off-duty activities are important in your overall score. Professionals are distinguished by their skill and experience. What better way to enhance these traits than to get involved in volunteer work and self-improvement?

Volunteering on base and in the community is a sure sign of leadership and initiative and there are always opportunities to volunteer as key workers for local events. Yet, as I was sitting in an organization meeting a couple of weeks ago, the young technical sergeant all but begged for points of contact for different events while the group she was addressing addressed the shine on their boots. Volunteer programs give our folks opportunities to get involved and contribute.

Self-improvement through off-duty education is really important. Don’t think the board members can’t deduce you’ve been carrying around the same 38 credit hours toward a future Community College of the Air Force degree. I’ve seen annual awards and EPR bullets with the same number of credits for a year or so. Not an impressive accomplishment and more often it hurts rather than helps. Get going on your education.

Never say you did things that you didn’t; the board members have seen a lot of bullets and probably know the difference. Besides, the award is only worth it if you really did the work.

I realize some of you will always have the perception that the quarterly and annual award process rewards the competitive person at the expense of the “hard worker” and misplaces the recognition. I give my vote to the professional — the individual who excels at his/her job, takes initiative, contributes to the community and betters him or herself. That’s the essence of professionalism. Want to win? Then distinguish yourself from the pack and make an impact. Make yourself competitive for an award that matches your talents, interests and strengths.

Supervisors, when your troop approaches you and asks, “Why didn’t you nominate me?,” be ready to defend your criteria for what it takes to represent your section, flight or command at the next level—then tell them what it takes to win!