SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
Tech. Sgt. Samuel
Wilhite, 82nd Training Wing protocol NCO in Charge and native of Atlanta,
Georgia, has been in the Air Force for nine years and is the Support Airman of the Week at Sheppard Air Force
Base, Texas, for the week of Dec. 27, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017.
Most significant accomplishments:
“My military career inspires me,” Wilhite said. “Being able
to give back to this country in my own way means a lot to me. Knowing that my
current job and the things that I have done over the years in my career help to
protect my country and my family, inspire me every day to do it all over again.”
“I was coined by the current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air
Force,” he said. “I am a highly motivated NCO, so for me there could be no
greater honor. Another great accomplishment was when I was six years old, I
scored the buzzer beater for my basketball team, the first and only shot I made
all year.”
Airman’s story:
“I love sports,” Wilhite said. “Although I am not currently on
a team, I usually spend most of my free time coaching youth. For me, I feel
like the bonds and lessons learned from a team sport are just as important as
the sport itself. I also work out a lot, because I eat a lot.”
Supervisor
comments:
“He worked tirelessly on the air show, senior leader
offsite, change of commands, Senior NCO induction, and managed multiple distinguished
visitor events, in their entirety; something unheard of for a brand new NCO in Charge,”
said Lt. Anastasia Neely, 82nd TRW chief of protocol. “He has jumped in without
hesitation for every 82nd Training Wing event and is continuously looking for
ways to improve the section and himself.”
“In the few months Technical Sergeant Wilhite has been in
the section, protocol has seen the busiest time in my year on the job, and he
has continued to flawlessly support our mission despite being so new,” she
said. “He does it all with a smile and unmatched professionalism as one of the
sharpest and smartest NCOs I’ve worked with. On top of all the protocol work he
has done, he has completed his Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education
course, completed a TDY to protocol school, won wing staff agencies NCO of the
quarter, and is a First Term Airman Center mentor.”
“On his first day within the protocol office, he was
tasked to support a change of command within 30 minutes, and without
hesitation, he was on the job,” she continued. “He continues to operate with
that motivation and engagement. His non-stop momentum makes him a truly
astounding individual.”