Warrior of the North named AMC Outstanding Chaplain Assistant NCO of the Year

by Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

3/6/2014 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Staff Sgt. Nikki Webb, NCO-in-charge of chapel operations for the 319th Air Base Wing Chapel, was recently named the top chaplain assistant NCO of the year for Air Mobility Command.

This latest honor comes to her shortly after also being named the NCO of the Year for the 319th Air Base Wing Staff Agencies, and two-time NCO of the Quarter.

"I was so shocked when I found out I won this award," she said. "I basically just consider everything I did something I would've done anyway, it's my job! But I am truly grateful for this recognition."

Over the past year, the chapel has consistently had no more than two chaplain assistants, which the Stanford, Ky., native said posed some significant challenges, and caused her to fill in for the Senior Religious Support Team normally a role for a senior NCO along with Chaplain (Maj.) Steven T. Dabbs.

"Nikki is extremely diligent--she will not go home until the mission is complete," said Dabbs. "She is also very service-oriented and loves people. She is perfect for assisting clergy."

Webb was also one of only 26 Airmen coined as a "star performer" by the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, and piloted the base's first Spiritual Pillar Wingman Day, coordinating 11 seminars attended by more than 600 Airmen--an AMC benchmark.

She was even responsible for disbursing more than $9,000 on the chapel's behalf, overseeing 59 transactions and earning an "Outstanding" rating for the chapel's government purchase card program.

Outside of the office, she just received her final grade on her last class before earning her bachelor's degree in criminal justice, finishing with a 3.5 grade point average.

Finally, she volunteered a total of 124 hours of her personal time, earning the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Webb wanted to make one thing clear: her success is the whole chapel's success.

"We work hard as a team, and that's the one reason why we are so successful," she said. "I work with a great bunch of people, and we all come together to get things done."

She now moves on to compete for Chaplain Assistant NCO of the Year at the Air Force level.

"I absolutely believe Nikki has a great chance of winning this award at the Air Force level, although the competition will be tough," said Dabbs. "We have a number of outstanding chaplain assistants in the Chaplain Corps--she is definitely among our best up-and-coming NCOs. I'm truly proud of her, and consider myself truly blessed to have her on my team."