SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
Staff Sgt. Alan Geiss, 80th Flying Training Wing
commander’s support staff NCO in
charge, and native of Laredo, Texas,
has been in the Air Force for four years and eight months and is the Support
Airman of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of Oct.
18-24, 2016.
Most significant accomplishments:
- Received the Airman Leadership School Commandant Award
Feb., 2016.
- Selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant the first time.
- Received Airman of the Quarter July-Sept. 2012 during
his first three months as permanent party.
- Nominated “Best Military Performer” in 2014 for Xanadu (Community Theater or US Army in
Europe).
Airman’s story:
“I was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Mexico, where my
mom is from,” Geiss said. “I lived there from three to 11 years old. This gave
me the opportunity to grow up being fluent in English and Spanish. I moved to
Laredo, Texas on my 11th birthday. I’ve been working since the first week I
turned 16 and haven’t stopped since. It’s given me great insight on
responsibility and valuing possessions and time.”
“I joined the Air Force for a chance at adventure and was
rewarded with four amazing years at Aviano Air Base, Italy,” he said. “My
enlistment ends in Feb., 2018, after which I will be following my dream of
being a filmmaker and plan to attend film school at Emerson College in Boston.”
“Had my family and I not struggled with financial
problems in my youth, I wouldn’t have moved to Texas, I wouldn’t have joined
the Air Force, and I would definitely not be the same person I am today,” Geiss
continued. “It gives me comfort to think everything does happen for a reason.
My goal is to pour positive energy into the world with my every day and long-term
actions.”
Supervisor comments:
“As the 80th
Flying Training Wing’s commander’s
support staff NCO in Charge, Staff
Sergeant Alan Geiss provides
direct support to the $250 million Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot
Training Program by servicing
the wing, the operations group, six squadrons, and 13 partnering nations,” said 1st Lt. Nethania
Penrod, CSS section commander. “Staff Sergeant Geiss
supervises two Airmen and is responsible
for 31 personnel programs and 42 duties. He hit the ground running from
the day he arrived. In three short months, his leadership significantly improved morale
and customer service despite our 60 percent manning and taking on additional duties. His
innovative ideas led to an 80 percent paper-free office, and streamlined
processes that minimized processing
delays for multiple CSS actions.”