GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Necessity is the mother of all invention, and when push comes to shove, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Watts, 17th Medical Support Squadron medical material technician, continues to step up, which has earned him the Goodfellow member spotlight.
Even after being recognized Watts was not interested in bragging about the accomplishment.
“It’s always good to get recognition, but for me, I’m fine with just a pat on the back or a thank you in an email,” said Watts. “Here I get that on a regular basis. They are very grateful here at the medical group. That is all that I need.”
There is a reason that his supervisors have shown such a high level of gratitude.
“He is why we are who we are now,” said Lt Col. Achilles Hamilothoris, 17th MDSS commander. “Silent dedication is a good way to describe him. He is there early in the morning till late at night. We went from four people to one in the shop and he took on the extra work without hesitation. Great dedication. He is always there for people in the office or out doing PT, because of all of this we put him up for the member spotlight.”
This dedication has shown through to all those around him and may have been rooted in his past.
“My dad has always been there, I call him my wingman,” said Watts. “He gives me his own personal advice, and he was in the military for 20 years. To me, getting that old school advice is just as important as talking to someone here and getting something that’s a bit more new school. You can find people everywhere that are hard workers or leaders. Those people I look towards them and watch and see what they do, because I respect them and what they do. It is more of a mirroring thing so I watch and repeat what they do.”
Following an example of others isn’t always enough, especially when extra responsibilities are added.
“I always thought that I could do things on my own,” said Watts. “When I was in Korea I was the only one in charge of purchases. At one point it got to the point that I had to reach out and ask for help, and that was one of the most humbling moments for me. You will make mistakes. That is okay, just don’t try to hide them and if it is something that we can fix, then it wasn’t really a mistake.”
When a leader can remember those humbling moments and chances to improve upon themselves and makes those changes, it shows. Appreciation is earned and Watts continues to show his worth each early morning to late night.
“At the end of the day, the job needs to get done,” said Watts. “If I got to step up and do it, regardless of the situation, I am willing to do that, because that is why I signed on the dotted line. After all out motto is ‘whatever it takes’.”