SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
Monica Findlay, 982nd
Maintenance Squadron unit program manager and native of Colorado Springs, has
been in the Air Force for 34 years and eight months and is the Support
Airman of the week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas for the week of Feb. 23 –
Mar. 1, 2016.
Most significant accomplishments:
The Inspector General identified Findlay as a “Superior
Performer” and referenced her as having
an “extremely strong 'unit
program coordinator' program” with all areas inspected as showing “evidence of continual
improvement” – a testament to her overall outstanding management skills. Her desire
to improve and streamline processing needs for all programs in support of the
Air Force mission have made them more efficient and effective. For instance,
her Unit Fitness Program was stated as being “one of the best seen to date” and
multiple items were taken from her program to use in other units across
Sheppard. Her efforts directly contributed to the squadron earning an overall
highly effective unit inspection rating.
Airman’s story:
Findlay began her civil service career at Sembach Air Base,
Germany in 1978. As a young military spouse, she set her goal to continue
government work wherever her husband’s assignments took them and hopes to
retire with the coveted 70 percent retirement package.
This plan is now near fruition with continual administrative
job offerings throughout her husband’s 23 years of military service both
overseas and stateside. She’s administratively managed front offices for more
than 20 commanders at squadron, group and headquarters levels, working her way
up to Ramstein Air Base as an executive secretary to three headquarters U.S. Air
Forces in Europe two-star generals before moving to Sheppard in 1994.
She spent 10 years in flying operations in Germany and
Korea, three years in flying and weapons safety at Hill Air Force Base, 16
years in medical training schoolhouse at Sheppard, and then will close her
career with 4 years of service in maintenance.
“I’ve been blessed beyond my dreams with outstanding bosses
and terrific leadership training opportunities that I’ve taken advantage of along
the way,” said Findlay. “I’ve also enjoyed the fruits of superior base
leadership, lived in cool military locations allowing for travel around the
world, and most importantly to my happiness, labored along with scores of
awesome teams of like-minded, supportive coworkers.
“For me and my family the Air Force has been a great way of
life to live, no regrets, mostly loads of fun,” she continued. “It’s now been
22 years at Sheppard and my goal has arrived. Choosing a retirement date is
super hard when one really loves their job and these great people.”
Commander’s comments:
“Findlay performs unit
program coordinator duties for both 982nd Training Group staff and 982nd Maintenance Squadron,” said Maj.
Denny Shofner, 982nd Maintenance Squadron commander. “She is the 982nd
TRG Unit Fitness Program Manager tracking and scheduling fitness assessments
for 58 military personnel. She prepares statistical reports to the squadron,
group, and wing leadership to communicate the overall fitness of their
military personnel.”
“Findlay
is the records manager expert who provides electronic records management
guidance and oversight for five file plans and ensures the unit is in
compliance with Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act responsibilities,”
he continued. “As the 982nd TRG Drug Demand Reduction trusted agent, Findlay is
responsible for notifying individuals selected for urinalysis testing and
identifying those individuals unavailable for testing which assists commanders
in assessing the security, military fitness, readiness, and good order and
discipline of their commands. She’s an invaluable resource ensuring we successfully
accomplish our mission to make great maintainers and communicators even better.”