AF recognizes 82nd FSS member

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  One individual of the 82nd Force Support Squadron was recently distinguished by the Air Force as one of the best in manpower and personnel when she received a 2009 A1 Annual Award.

Linda Howard, chief of personnel relocation, was identified as Manpower & Personnel Flight Manager of the Year in the Civilian, Installation Level category.

Mrs. Howard's supervisor, Capt. Darren Hill, chief of the military personnel section, said her knowledge in the personnel section is a strong asset and "refreshing."

"(Mrs. Howard) is an outstanding asset to the military personnel section," he said. "Her core personnel knowledge and desire to provide exceptional customer service stuck out."

The award winner said she enjoys being responsible for processing promotions, reenlistments, separations, retirements and outbound assignments. Among Mrs. Howard's achievements are approximately 206 assignments coordinated with Air Education and Training Command in about 12 months for the recent transition of the 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron to Defense Support Services.

Processing the assignments of the 82nd CES was done in addition to the average of 530 outbound assignments, and 150 separations and retirements at any given time, not including involuntary separations.

"My accomplishments are a direct result of the people who work with me; I don't do anything on my own," Mrs. Howard said. "Recognition at that level is difficult to get in a career field as large as manpower and personnel, it's like winning an Oscar for the personnel realm, but I made it because I had wonderful people working with me."

Mrs. Howard has also recently added the duties of chief of career development to her workload. She said she tries not to think about the amount of work under her responsibility, but she has pride knowing that her work is significant to the client's career the Air Force mission.

"Promotions and reenlistments directly affect pay and if my people don't take care of that, (customers) won't get the money (they've) earned," she said. "Everything we touch affects the end-user's career."

Captain Hill said he was not surprised that she won the award this year, but he was surprised she hadn't won in this category before.

Mrs. Howard has worked for the military personnel section for about 27 years and received multiple awards at the Air Force, AETC and installation levels.