Team Goodfellow member earns Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Keith
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- --  Maj. Boris Shif, previous assistant director of operations for the 316th Training Squadron, won the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Military Award for his accomplishments while assigned to the 316th TRS.

The Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Award is presented to officers who display outstanding leadership and professional development. The award is dedicated to the memory of the late Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., a renowned officer and pilot who led the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

It was presented Aug. 1 at the 2012 Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. convention in Las Vegas, during which Shif got to meet some of the original Tuskegee Airmen.

Shif, who is now stationed in Korea, said he was humbled by the experience.

"It is humbling to win an award given in the name of a man who truly embodied those famous words spoken by Gen. MacArthur: Duty, Honor, Country," Shif added. "I had a great time at the convention; it was truly an honor to be in the same room with the original Tuskegee Airmen."

Lt. Col. Scott Nahrgang, 316th TRS commander, said Shif was one of the forces behind the 316th TRS's overall Excellent rating in the wing's Air Education and Training Command Compliance Inspection last year. Shif led the squadron's inspection preparation efforts, directly contributing to Excellent ratings in all inspected areas.

"Shif is a go-getter," Nahrgang added. "When I gave him a task, I had no doubt it would be completed in a timely, first-rate fashion. He is the type of leader who inspires those around him to give their all."

Shif attributes his success to the hard work and dedication of the members of the 316th TRS.

"I won because the men and women of the 316th TRS have been able to masterfully execute a very important mission, training our future intelligence professionals," Shif said. "This award reflects their dedication to duty and 'we will not fail' attitude."

Senior Master Sgt. Randy LeBlanc, 316th TRS operations superintendent, worked closely with Shif and said he is an outgoing, gregarious person with a sharp since of humor.

"He was able to really connect with his people," LeBlanc added. "He made everyone realize they counted and people responded by giving their absolute best."

Shif said he believes people are the Air Force's most important asset and should always come first.

"As officers our focus should always be people and mission," Shif said. "I say people first because I truly believe that if you really take care of your people you will build a team that will move mountains to make sure the mission is taken care of. As Gen. Robert E. Lee wrote in a letter to his son 'Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.'"

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