Attitude over awards: Fort Huachuca MTL sets the example

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The services of the United States Armed Forces are well known for recognizing the outstanding performances of its members. This is usually done with a ceremony where someone presents a worthy recipient with an award of some kind such as a trophy or plaque. But while the shape and names of the awards may change, one common yet important characteristic represented by the awards is the positive and hard working attitude of those who receive them--attitudes like that of one noncommissioned officer from 17th Training Group Detachment 1 at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., a geographically separated unit of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base.

Technical Sergeant Roberto Oregon was recently named the Air Force NCO of the Quarter for Fort Huachuca, Ariz., during the third quarter. The award is the newest edition to a noteworthy collection; however it is the sergeant's positive attitude that this military training leader has come to be known for.

"With this being my first command it is a blessing to have someone like Sergeant Oregon be a right-hand man," said Maj. Pedro Matos, 17 TRG Det. 1 commander. "I bet every commander would like to have a unit full of Sergeant Oregons."

In addition to his normal duties as the unit's senior MTL, Sergeant Oregon also serves as the detachment's acting first sergeant. It is a role that has allowed him to become actively involved with the base senior enlisted officials taking on and addressing issues affecting the enlisted members on the installation. Although managing the responsibilities of a first sergeant can be challenging at times, it is a role that Sergeant Oregon has come to embrace as witnessed by his commander.

Sergeant Oregon's positive attitude extends off duty too. He is currently involved with Car Show in the Park, an annual charity event, and is developing the website for the local Air Force Association chapter at Fort Huachuca. Despite an already busy schedule, he also manages to read books to the elementary school children at Bella Vista Elementary School for their reading marathon.

"One of the best qualities about Sergeant Oregon is how he views everyone as being part of one big Air Force family--a quality he exemplifies by listening to Airmen and trying to help them solve problems," Maj. Matos said.

When asked what source or experience inspired his positive attitude he gave credit to his father.

"My father was a special operations sergeant in the Army and one of the things he would always tell me was to 'make sure you take care of your people.' He was my role model in life and of what a service member should be. His memory has made me strive to take care of my Air Force family and be the best at whatever I do in life," Sergeant Oregon said.