Goodfellow NCO named AF fire service instructor of the year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Devin Boyer
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Tech. Sgt. Aaron C. Brackett, the 312th Training Squadron rescue course NCO in charge, received the 2014 Air Force Fire Service Instructor of the Year award, March 27.

The award recognizes Airmen for contributions to the success of the Air Force and Defense Department fire emergency service missions.

"Receiving this award is a great testimony to the guys that I work with in the rescue office," Brackett said. "We all work very hard each and every day. With this course, we also travel around the DOD teaching rope rescue principles; we are a representation of the Air Force and the Louis F. Garland DOD Fire Academy."

Brackett trains and develops rescue technicians at the fire academy, preparing them for low- and high-angle rope rescues, and confined space emergencies.

"The thing I like most about my job is getting to meet people from all over the DOD," Brackett said. "We have all branches of the military and civilians from all over the world. It's great to see a group of 10 to 12 people not knowing each other on day one, and then by the first week of the course they start working as a team. By week three, they usually are working very well together to get the task done."

At the age of 23, Brackett enlisted in the Air Force as a firefighter and after 11 years of service, he still finds motivation to continue serving.

"I think about some of the individuals I have had the chance to work with that have retired and are still serving, just as civilians," he said. "It's so cool to see that they still want to be a part of the military family."

Brackett said his job is just a small part of the puzzle that makes the Air Force machine work, but still believes in its importance.

"Without fire protection, the Air Force would not be able to effectively continue the mission," he said. "I understand that I am one person of many and that if I am not there, our mission will still go on."

Master Sgt. Michael D. Champion, the 312th TRS fire officer courses NCO in charge, is one of many who said he believe Brackett's title of Air Force Fire Service Instructor of the Year is well deserved.

"Tech. sergeant Brackett is an outstanding NCO and advanced course instructor," Champion said. "He can always be found taking care of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilian teammates. In fact, you will find him at any given moment; taking care of others before himself."

Brackett defined "service" as putting others and the mission before one's self and understands the importance of his service in the Air Force.

"He is the last to ever actively seek recognition or even eat for that matter," Champion added. "That is another reason why he truly deserves this accolade. He leads from the front, but is equally versed in followership. That is why tech. sergeant Brackett is such a phenomenal instructor and motivator; he takes care of people first, promoting a learning environment of dignity and respect."

Brackett will leave Goodfellow for his next assignment in the summer where he will continue his career at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.