Hard work pays off for 2012 AETC Command Post NCO of the Year

by Dan Hawkins
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A Sheppard NCO got a big surprise during the 82nd Training Wing commander's call April 8 when he was brought on stage by Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini and notified of his selection as the 2012 Air Education and Training Command NCO of the Year in the command post career field.

Staff Sgt. Greg Askew, an 82nd TRW command post controller, was thrilled to hear the news that he was the command's top NCO in his career field.

"I put in a lot of work this past year and had some great opportunities to shine," Askew said. "You don't do the work to win awards, but it's nice to have your hard work recognized."

Askew, who became a command post controller in 2010 after cross-training over from security forces, shined on perhaps one of the biggest stages possible in 2012: AETC's Compliance Inspection in May.

"I had taken over the training program and we had 19 deficiencies that needed to be cleared up before the (inspection)," Askew said. "We burned some midnight oil doing what we needed to do to clear up the issues."

The NCO's hard work paid off as all 19 discrepancies were corrected prior to the CI team's arrival in early May and subsequently helped the command post to its overall "Excellent" rating. Askew was also named as a "Professional Performer" by the AETC Inspector General team.

"Due to our manning in the command post, we all had to work shifts as the controller, plus work on the administrative side making sure everything was ready," Askew said. "It was a total team effort."

Scoring a 94 percent on his 7-level Career Development Course (CDC) final exam didn't hurt his cause either.

While talking about the award, Askew was quick to point out the home front as his source of inspiration and support he needed to be successful. Askew is married to Staff Sgt. Janelle Askew of the 82nd Medical Operations Squadron.

"My wife really enabled me to win this award," Askew noted. "Without her help with our three daughters and my long hours, there is no way I could have accomplished everything."

Askew will be PCS'ing in May to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., where he will be working in U.S. Strategic Command in a special-duty position.

"I'm looking forward to my next challenge," Askew said.