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Outstanding Airman — Top 3 presents award for exceptional work

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Dale Yates
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. --  An Airman from the 90th Medical Operations Squadron is the first to earn the Warren Top 3's new Outstanding Airman Award.

Airman 1st Class John Sandoval accepted the award Dec. 28 during a Top 3 meeting in the Trail's End Club.

"He emulates what an Airman or Air Force member should be," said Master Sgt. Debra Timmons, 90th MDOS and the Top 3 member who nominated Airman Sandoval. "He goes above and beyond without question; he always takes the leadership role as an Airman."

"I'm glad to perform the job and do it well in the eyes of others," Airman Sandoval said. "I feel honored."

The Top 3 organization, which is for military members in the three highest enlisted pay grades, recently created the Outstanding Airman Award as another avenue to highlight Warren's best junior enlisted.

"It's just another way we, as senior NCOs, can identify our outstanding Airmen and give them some recognition," said Master Sgt. Chris Campbell, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and former president of the Top 3.

Only members of the Top 3 who are in good standing may nominate an Airman in the pay grades of E-1 to E-4. They may do so by e-mailing a narrative justification to any member of the Top 3's executive council. There are no restrictions on the size, format or type of justification; a Top 3 member may submit an airman for outstanding job performance, excellent military bearing, impeccable uniform standards or any other merit factor.

Nominations are due the 15th of each month for the previous month. A five-member panel of Top 3 members, one from each group in the 90th Space Wing, will consider all nominations and make a selection. The 90th SW's command chief master sergeant will then review the panel's selection.

The winner and the Top 3 member who nominated the winner must then appear at the next Top 3 monthly meeting to accept the award.

Sergeant Campbell emphasized that the program's main restriction is that only paid members of the Top 3 may nominate an airman, and members of the Top 3 will not accept nominations from those who are not members.

To join the Top 3, military members in the pay grades of E-7 through E-9 may call Master Sgt. Jason Devereaux, 90th SW and Top 3 president, at 773-6668. The Top 3 meets in the Trail's End Club immediately following the wing's monthly promotion ceremony, which is normally the last duty day of the month at 3 p.m.