Two receive AETC award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two of Sheppard's outstanding individuals were recognized April 8, for their hard work and excellent performance in 2009 and received Air Education and Training Command awards.

Master Sgt. Katrina Martin, 82nd Training Wing Judge Advocate General's Corps military justice NCO in charge, received the Karen E. Yates-Popwell Award for the outstanding paralegal senior NCO of the year category and Chris Hutchings 82nd TRW Judge Advocate closed microphone reporter, received the Harold R. Vague Award for the outstanding legal service civilian of the year category.

Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca Simmons, the 82nd TRW Law Office superintendent submitted the hard workers based on her observations of their actions over the last year.

"Not only were they outstanding here at Sheppard, they were outstanding for the Air Force," Sergeant Simmons said. "It means a lot to me that they received this award; I am very proud of them and pleased that their hard work hasn't gone unnoticed."
Sergeant Martin said this was a great accomplishment for her and that it made her family proud.

"I've never gotten to this level before," the sergeant said. "This is a very proud moment for me and I'm honored to represent the 82nd Training Wing JAG corps at the Air Force level."

Sergeant Martin said she could not have done it without her family support.

"This year my deployment was the highlight for me; it was the best part and worst part of my year," the sergeant said. "My husband always gave me encouragement while I was deployed and told me the saying, 'don't count the days, make the days count,' which really helped me put my time away into a better perspective."

Mr. Hutchings said he wouldn't have been able to achieve the award without the support from the other members in his office.

"I was really honored by this award and really appreciative of all my co-workers who were so instrumental in me achieving this award I couldn't have done it without them."

The Karen E. Yates-Popwell Award recognizes the most outstanding active-duty paralegal senior NCO based upon demonstrated excellence, superior initiative, leadership, management skills and professionalism; and Sergeant Martin did just that.

According to the package submitted, some of the accomplishments of Sergeant Martin were as follows: she managed the largest Article 15 program in the Air Force, managed a $30,000 travel budget, led a nine member office in a hostile environment while deployed, set up Balad's 1st tax center, which processed 1,500 returns and saved clients $107,000 in fees; volunteered during Thanksgiving and delivered 15 hot meals to local, disabled elderly citizens.

The Harold R. Vague Award recognizes the most outstanding legal service civilian employed by or serving with the Judge Advocate General's Corps based upon demonstrated excellence, initiative, and devotion to duty.

Mr. Hutchings went above and beyond last year not only in his work, but during his personal time as well.

Some of his accomplishments last year were as follows: he traveled seven times to other bases to transcribe cases in order to avoid trial delays, volunteered to train a new reporter at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, on his own time; located a local repair firm when a courtroom microphone malfunctioned and saved the Air Force $400 in replacement costs; prepared and notarized 386 critical legal documents saving clients $17,800 in fees and while volunteering for Meals on Wheels, he delivered 120 meals in a four month period.