Storytime: I start this incident with a moment of reflection and no hate. Life isn't fair; you work hard and stay consistent for an opportunity (to define your reality), and as always, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So speak up, be bold, and remain humble enough to recognize B.S. I'm Just a humble person offering a different perspective of positivity while others might say, "This why I'm getting out of the Air Force" mentality.
Recognition of Success and a Clean Sweep
During the second quarter of this year, our Senior Master Sergeant recognized that as a Flight, we were killing it collectively and individually. He asked the Senior NCOs to write award packages for ourselves and not just for our Airmen and Junior NCOs like always. After submitting the award packages, a couple of weeks passed, and we discovered through an email from our Senior Enlisted Leader and our Senior Master Sergeant that we had all won! A clean sweep as Senior NCOs in the Squadron, and we will now compete at the Group in our respective categories.
The Omission and Initial Disappointment
However, after further review of the email, I noticed that my name and award category I was not present as a winner in the email. After speaking with our Senior Master Sergeant, he called the individual responsible for grading and submitting the award packages to the Group and discovered that my name and category were omitted due to neglect. Thus, not allowing my award package not to be able to be reviewed by the Group automatically disqualifies me from having an opportunity to compete.
Apology and Dismissal of the Issue
This individual called me immediately, apologizing for the error in the email and for not submitting my award package to the Group to compete. He stated it was too late to correct his mistake, but to look at the bright side, "You can add this to your EPR/EPB." Another Senior NCO who won but lost at Group stated the same thing. An reassured me I wouldn't have won the Group anyway,… smh.
A Second Overlook During Award Presentation
A couple of weeks later, while recovering from shoulder surgery, the Commander had a Commander's Call and issued awards to the winners. Again, my name and category were omitted, not because I was absent due to my surgery but because they forgot about me again. In my defense, a Senior NCO spoke out privately, informing them that my name and category were omitted again, unbeknownst to me. They quickly corrected the matter by ordering another trophy. When I returned to work, they asked another Senior NCO to give me the trophy since they were going back to our Flight.
The Bigger Picture: Mission and Care for Airmen
To me,... doing the big rocks, like executing the mission and taking care of and developing your folks/subordinates/Airmen, are interchangeable because one hand tends to wash the other. I know we are busier than ever with threats like China, Russia, and North Korea tinkering in the blink of a worldwide war. But we can't be too busy to do the right thing even if you think it doesn't matter. These small interactions are mini-tests or quizzes of character to build our service skills, fortify our integrity, and bring about our excellence.
Impact on Airmen and the Role of Leadership
I say all that to say this: if neglect can happen at this so-called "level," I know the perspective of our Airmen and junior NCOs experience can be skewed to a negative connotation that "no one cares" and "This why I'm getting out of the Air Force" mentality. Leaders, mentors, and supervisors remember to speak to your Airmen about situations, celebrate the small, not just the large victories with your Airmen, and tell them how much you appreciate them in your life without sounding like Bill Cosby commercial offering them a pudding pop. Even if it's a lie, do it until you believe it yourself. The alternative could result in a mess filled with regret and discomfort.
Remember: To be the change you want to experience, not just see.
Is the Air Force recognizing hard work, or is it all just lip service?
Recognition? Only if you're in the right clique.
It's all politics—hard work doesn't matter.
Recognition happens, but it's rare and inconsistent.
Yes, hard work is valued and rewarded.
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