Air Force receives 2 DOD disability awards

  • Published
  • By Fred W. Baker III
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Defense officials here lauded an Air Force civilian and 15 everyday heroes for overcoming disabilities, as well as named the Air Force an outstanding organization for hiring people with disabilities Dec. 4 in Bethesda, Md.

Among the award recipients was Ronald Greenfield, the chief of staff for the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Mr. Greenfield suffers from Type II diabetes as a result of Agent Orange, degenerative arthritis in his upper spine and a missing leg -- lost during his tour of duty as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.

Among his varied responsibilities are finance director, facilities manager, civilian personnel officer and liaison to operational headquarters. Mr. Greenfield's efforts led to the construction of a new armory as well as a new headquarters building. He also oversaw the hiring of several employees and contractors without flaw.

When members of his squadron were seriously injured, Mr. Greenfield visited them to lend support to them and their families, showing them how to stay positive and live with disabilities.

Further, the Air Force was cited for excellence in its practice of hiring people with disabilities and presented Dr. Joseph M. Guzman, the deputy assistant secretary for strategic diversity integration, the 2007 Secretary of Defense Trophy for Achievement in Employment of People with Disabilities.

The purpose of the annual ceremony is to increase awareness of contributions to national security made by those with mental and physical disabilities. The awards program began in 1981, and recipients are nominated by their respective agencies. The program also recognizes three DOD components with outstanding affirmative action programs for people with disabilities.

DOD now employs more than 5,000 people with severe disabilities, or nearly 1 percent of its work force. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wants to increase that to 2 percent, officials said.

A shift in attitudes and developing technologies have opened more doors to disabled people, said David S. C. Chu, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

Mr. Chu cited the government-wide Computer/Electronic Accommodation Program, which provides assistive technology for federal employees with disabilities at no cost to the employing agency. The program began in 1990 to help break down barriers for people with disabilities, Mr. Chu said. Congress has since expanded the program to include all federal agencies, and in 2006 expanded it to include wounded servicemembers. This will help as the military begins to retain more wounded servicemembers on active duty.

"I think it is important to note that today we have a shift within our military structure in attitudes, too. Our military organizations realize that putting aside personnel with disabilities is a wasteful loss of valuable human resources," Mr. Chu said.

Thanks to advancements in technology and rehabilitation programs, "it has become common practice (for) military personnel who so desire and can demonstrate their ability to return to military duty and certainly to pursue rewarding careers in civil society," he said.

Other award recipients were:
-- Bruce E. Beyer of the Department of the Army.
-- Steven R. Clark of the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Washington Headquarters Service.
-- Maria T. Andrade of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
-- Anthony Green of the Defense Commissary Agency.
-- Joseph P. Higginbotham of the Defense Contract Management Agency.
-- Kimberly J. Pare of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
-- Constance Gardener of the Defense Logistics Agency.
-- Jennifer L. Perry of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
-- Michael J. Morgan Jr. of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
-- Michael P. Herron of the National Guard Bureau. And
-- John H. Loftis Jr. of the National Security Agency.

DOD organizations honored were: the Department of the Air Force, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Washington Headquarters Service. (Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski contributed to this story) 

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