Distinguish yourself and recognition will follow
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --
The question lingers: What does it take to be recognized? For Airmen, Noncommissioned (NCO) and Senior Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO), recognition can be a confusing issue, so let's talk process:
Recognition as an "on the spot, monthly, quarterly, or annual" award winner can be a deciding factor for a rating on a performance report; or for Senior NCOs, a stratifying statement for promotion. As we progress in our careers, competing against peers and winning may be deciding factor in assignments, Stripes for Exceptional Performance, SNCO promotion board scores, consideration for early in-residence professional military education, and more.
Over the years, and it has been 26 of them for me, I have been on hundreds of recognition and promotion boards that have affected the outcome of career progression of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. So I'm going to jump out there and say "I've developed a sense of what it takes to be an award winner or get promoted". So, here are my thoughts -
Leadership, job knowledge, and performance in your primary duties are the key here. Did you affect your work center, flight, squadron, wing, numbered air force or major command by doing something faster, better, or cheaper with an overall positive impact? Just being key or part of the squadron winning an award doesn't really say anything. What did you DO or what did your Airman do to guarantee that award or recognition? Quantifying is important but don't exaggerate. I would like to see all the money and manpower we supposedly saved the Air Force over the past several years that has been cited in award packages. With some of these exaggerations, the Air Force would be able to fund a lot of quality-of-life projects. That was meant to be funny, but you get my point, right?
All nominees do great things in their primary job, but winning a tie-breaker is usually because the "other" categories are strong. Significant self improvement and Base/Community involvement are also important in your overall Professional Development. Professionals are distinguished by their skill-set and experience. What better way to enhance these traits than to get involved in self improvement and volunteer work that directly affects self and others?
Self-improvement through on/off-duty education is really important. Don't think the board members can't validate the fact that you have been carrying around the same credit hours toward a future CCAF degree or professional certification. I have seen annual awards packages and enlisted performance report with the same number of credits for years. Not an impressive accomplishment and more often it hurts rather than helps. Get going on your education and certifications that link and enhance what you do in our Air Force.
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. Even when volunteering, there's a noticeable impact on being the leader of an event verses just participating.
Never say or imply you did something that you really didn't; the board members have seen and read a lot of bullet statements and probably know the difference. Besides, the award is only worth it if you truly did the work. I realize some of you will always have the perception that the recognition awards 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 above peers at their job through their actions, the results of those actions, and how it impacted the overall mission , all while bettering him or herself via professional development while giving back to base and community. "Man" that was a mouth full. But that's the essence of true professionalism.
Want to win? Then distinguish yourself above the team but not at the cost of the team. Make yourself competitive for an award that matches your talents, interests, and strengths. Supervisors! When your Airmen approach you and ask, "Why didn't you nominate me?," you better be ready to defend your criteria for what it takes to represent our Air Force, then show them what it takes to win by being the living "Example". Getting the big picture? The Example is Leadership, and leading by example eliminates false perceptions!
Know, Live, Lead, and Manage ...
Recognition as an "on the spot, monthly, quarterly, or annual" award winner can be a deciding factor for a rating on a performance report; or for Senior NCOs, a stratifying statement for promotion. As we progress in our careers, competing against peers and winning may be deciding factor in assignments, Stripes for Exceptional Performance, SNCO promotion board scores, consideration for early in-residence professional military education, and more.
Over the years, and it has been 26 of them for me, I have been on hundreds of recognition and promotion boards that have affected the outcome of career progression of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. So I'm going to jump out there and say "I've developed a sense of what it takes to be an award winner or get promoted". So, here are my thoughts -
Leadership, job knowledge, and performance in your primary duties are the key here. Did you affect your work center, flight, squadron, wing, numbered air force or major command by doing something faster, better, or cheaper with an overall positive impact? Just being key or part of the squadron winning an award doesn't really say anything. What did you DO or what did your Airman do to guarantee that award or recognition? Quantifying is important but don't exaggerate. I would like to see all the money and manpower we supposedly saved the Air Force over the past several years that has been cited in award packages. With some of these exaggerations, the Air Force would be able to fund a lot of quality-of-life projects. That was meant to be funny, but you get my point, right?
All nominees do great things in their primary job, but winning a tie-breaker is usually because the "other" categories are strong. Significant self improvement and Base/Community involvement are also important in your overall Professional Development. Professionals are distinguished by their skill-set and experience. What better way to enhance these traits than to get involved in self improvement and volunteer work that directly affects self and others?
Self-improvement through on/off-duty education is really important. Don't think the board members can't validate the fact that you have been carrying around the same credit hours toward a future CCAF degree or professional certification. I have seen annual awards packages and enlisted performance report with the same number of credits for years. Not an impressive accomplishment and more often it hurts rather than helps. Get going on your education and certifications that link and enhance what you do in our Air Force.
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. Even when volunteering, there's a noticeable impact on being the leader of an event verses just participating.
Never say or imply you did something that you really didn't; the board members have seen and read a lot of bullet statements and probably know the difference. Besides, the award is only worth it if you truly did the work. I realize some of you will always have the perception that the recognition awards 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 above peers at their job through their actions, the results of those actions, and how it impacted the overall mission , all while bettering him or herself via professional development while giving back to base and community. "Man" that was a mouth full. But that's the essence of true professionalism.
Want to win? Then distinguish yourself above the team but not at the cost of the team. Make yourself competitive for an award that matches your talents, interests, and strengths. Supervisors! When your Airmen approach you and ask, "Why didn't you nominate me?," you better be ready to defend your criteria for what it takes to represent our Air Force, then show them what it takes to win by being the living "Example". Getting the big picture? The Example is Leadership, and leading by example eliminates false perceptions!
Know, Live, Lead, and Manage ...
