Nieset wins at AETC Published April 15, 2008 By Senior Airman Stephen Musal 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For Betty Nieset, there are two things in her life that mean more to her than anything else. The first is her family, followed very closely by the United States Air Force. Ms. Nieset, a former major who is now the resource management flight chief with the 17th Services Division, was awarded the Irving Rubenstein Memorial Award at the Air Education and Training Command level for 2008. The award, presented by the International Military Community Executives Association, recognizes one Morale, Welfare and Recreation professional from each of the five branches of the Armed Forces who has been in an MWR management position for less than two years. "I was shocked and excited," Ms. Nieset said. "Services is a very tough career field to be in, and there are a lot of people out there as qualified." Ms. Nieset said that her flight's exceptional teamwork put her above the competition for winning the award. "I have a good team, and to be a good leader, you have to empower them to be able to do their job," Ms. Nieset said. "I'm not a leader who is afraid to dig in, but I also allow my team to do their jobs without micromanagement." Ms. Nieset said she had to make a very hard choice when the option came up to leave under the voluntary separation program after 11 years of service as an officer, but as a single parent of four wonderful children (twin girls, age 11, and twin boys, age 8), she felt she had to put her family before her uniform. Still, she considers herself a true supporter of the Air Force. She added that she is very proud to be working for the Air Force as a civilian, especially in Services, which allows her to give back to the military community that gave her so much. "My children are products of child development centers and school-age facilities," she said. "I never realized how much Services does until I was ingrained into it myself." With no prior ties to Goodfellow, Ms. Nieset came to this base because of her job. The Fostoria, Ohio, native manages both the Services appropriated funds program and the non-appropriated funds program on Goodfellow, and said her background as a financial services officer managing two flights of 30-40 military and civilians uniquely prepared her for the job as resource management flight chief. Ms. Nieset's past awards include recognition as the AETC Financial Services Officer of the Year for 2000 and the Air Mobility Command Financial Services Officer of the Year for 1998. Additionally, she holds the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster for her military service. "Though I am no longer wearing the uniform, I am glad to still be a part of the Air Force team," Ms. Nieset said. "I am thankful to the Air Force for everything they have provided to me over the years - I don't take that for granted."
