Racking up recognition: an account of an Airman the Air Force can count on

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 17th Comptroller Squadron's financial analysis office was recently recognized by the Air Education and Training Command as the Best Financial Analysis Office in the major command for the 2007 fiscal year.

Of the 19 members of that office, one Airman distinguished himself from the group by racking up three other notable recognitions in less than three month.

Airman 1st Class David Graham, a financial analyst, was selected by AETC as the recipient of the AETC Financial Management Airman Award for the 2007 fiscal year.

The AETC Financial Management Airman Award is an annual award designed to recognize the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of an Airman's job performance, including contributions to mission effectiveness, leadership and mentorship in the workplace and professional and career development and improvement. To a lesser degree, nominations also emphasize contributions, participation and activities outside of job duties.

In January 2007, squadron leadership selected him above nine other Airmen to fill a vacant staff sergeant position in the financial analysis flight, where he made an immediate positive impact; an impact highlighted with his selection as the 17th Training Wing/Wing Staff Airman of the Quarter (first quarter).

"Since becoming a Financial Analyst, Airman Graham has quickly grasped all tasks. He contributed through aggressive processing of over 250 documents valued at more than $3.2 million and helped ensure there were no lost discounts five straight months," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Weber, who was Airman Graham's immediate supervisor at the time.

Airman Graham, who is a former accounting student at Ohio State University, will now compete against Airmen from other major commands in the same category at the Air Force level.

In addition to the AETC recognition, the base-finance-office Airman from Piqua, Ohio, was selected as the Aces High Award recipient for December 2007.

Like Airman Graham's AETC FM award, the Aces High Award is designed to recognize some of the most outstanding personnel in the financial management career field, but unlike the AETC FM award, the Aces High Award is an Air Force wide- selection made by the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Office on a monthly basis.

Airman Graham became only the second airman first class to win the award in 2007.

"I attribute these and other recognitions to Airman Graham's outstanding service and unmatched pursuit of perfection," said Sergeant Weber.

"He has quickly become the best airman first class in the 17th Comptroller Squadron and a tremendous asset," added the proud NCO.

Airman Graham may be the best airman first class in his squadron; however Sergeant Weber may have to change that statement in the near future, thanks to Airman Graham's third recognition.

On Jan. 28, Airman Graham will officially wear a few more stripes on his sleeves after having been selected for advance promotion to senior airman through the below-the-zone promotion program.

The BTZ program is designed to provide an opportunity for exceptionally well-qualified Airmen a one-time consideration for promotion to the rank of senior airman, to be effective six months prior to the fixed fully-qualified phase point. Selection is 15 percent of total time-in-grade and time-in-service eligible population.

"The news took me totally by surprise. I knew I had been nominated but I wasn't thinking about getting BTZ at that time because I was very busy helping the Defense Financial Accounting Service in Columbus, Ohio, with nearly two months worth of backlog work," said Airman Graham.

"I have to admit though, I felt honored to have Col. (Richard) Ayres (17 TRW commander) take time from his busy schedule to personally congratulate me via telephone," he said.

Airman Graham's outstanding service is not just limited to his job. It also extends to his dedication to better himself and life for those around him.

Airman Graham is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting at Angelo State University and is also an active member of the local community.

He volunteers in the local Big Brother/Big Sister program, donating four hours of his time every week and he helped raise $2,000 for cancer research by participating in the local annual Relay for Life event.

Furthermore, Airman Graham has aided the Air Force Assistance Fund by raising more than $4,000 for Air Force active duty and retirees through four different charities.

"I feel both humbled and honored to have received this tremendous amount of recognition," Airman Graham said. "I am also glad the Air Force has a system designed to recognize the dedication and the outstanding work of people who strive to make it the best Air Force in the world--people like those here in my unit, who I am also very proud to work along side.

"I look forward to sewing on my next set of stripes and to continue to do my job as best as I can."