Sheppard NCOs to represent AETC in AF Chaplain Corps Awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two members of the 82nd Training Wing Chaplain Division will represent the command at the Air Force-level for the annual Chaplain Corps Awards.

Senior Master Sgt. John Middaugh, the superintendent of chapel operations, received the Outstanding Chaplain Assistant Senior NCO award. Staff Sgt. Brian Schaaf, the NCO in Charge and the chapel resource manager, won the Outstanding Chaplain Assistant NCO. Sheppard Airmen won 25 percent of the eight possible award categories.

Chap. (Col.) Richard Hartwell, the 82nd TRW chaplain said it is the first time he has seen two people from the same chapel awarded.

"It is unprecedented to have two significant awards go to two members from the same staff," said Chap. (Col.) Richard Hartwell, HC. "I never saw anything like this when I was a command chaplain and I'm privileged to share the spotlight as the wing chaplain with these Airmen."

Chaplain Hartwell said the Airmen deserved the awards because of their competence both unquestioned and broad, mastery of their job and calling as a military member, community involvement and initiative to go beyond the range of their computers and desks.

Sergeant Middaugh has served more than 20 years and is currently deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar, and said he does his job with pride.

"One of my biggest accomplishments is training and mentoring a lot of young troops over the years that I have seen grow both personally and professionally into the young men and women they are today," he said. "I am also honored to know there are chaplain assistants in today's Air Force that look to me for guidance and mentorship."

Sergeant Middaugh said despite a 33 percent cut in manning the mission still gets done.

"With all that said, it concerns me that we may be asking too much of them at times so I really push one of our Chief of Chaplains top priorities, 'Care for the Caregiver,'" he said.

"Even though we need more personnel, our Chaplain Assistants continue to display the best attitude of anyone, hands down. Their work ethic is outstanding, putting in long hours of visitation or Intervention Counseling and they continue to surpass my expectations every day."

Sergeant Schaaf who has served 10 years, four years as a chaplain assistant, won the same award in 2007 and said that one of the most challenging parts of the job is helping military members get through a rough spot in their lives.

"Some of our military have very tough things happening in their lives and really need someone to talk with," he said. "We are there for them and are all proud and happy to be that person anyone can turn to free of any retribution.

"One story that comes to mind is from Iraq with an armed security forces member that was contemplating suicide with his own weapon following a very tragic incident in his personal life back home. He came into my office in Balad and we talked for over four straight hours.

He said, instead of following through with the plan he had already made in full, the SFS member received some much needed help and returned to full duty finishing his tour in Iraq and is still working hard at his home station with no problems.

Both Airmen said they are honored to receive such a significant award for doing something that they love.

"It's a great personal feeling of accomplishment to know that you had a positive direct impact and that you were an important part of a fellow Airman's life," Sergeant Schaaf said.