AF earns DOD best military department disability award, Airmen honored

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  • By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Air Force received the secretary of defense trophy for the best disability program among large military components for the fourth year in a row. Two Airmen were recognized for their work during a ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 29.

For the past 35 years, the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity has recognized outstanding service members and Defense Department civilian personnel with disabilities at an annual awards ceremony.

The ceremony recognizes recipients for outstanding achievement in the hiring, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme, “My Disability is One Part of Who I Am,” was a constant reminder for members of the DOD to maintain the commitment to employ disabled civilians and wounded veterans.

"This observance, like the others we enjoy throughout the year, is an educational experience, individually and collectively,” said Brad Carson, the acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. “I personally value the opportunity to reflect on the history of this observance and the biases it aims to combat.”

Bob Corsi, the assistant deputy chief of staff of manpower, personnel and services, and Dr. Jarris Taylor, the deputy assistant secretary of strategic diversity integration, accepted the award on behalf of the Air Force.

In addition to the Air Force award, the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity recognized two Airmen.

Stacy Gatling, the Directed Energy Directorate executive secretary at the Air Force Research Laboratory on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, processed 518 staff packages for review and action by the director and deputy director and led the AFRL front office in executing two flawless equipment account inspections.

Additionally, Gatling created efficiencies by eliminating irrelevant meetings for the AFRL director, freeing time for strategic engagements. Her efforts led to the procurement of $140 million dollars in customer funding for the directorate.

Tech. Sgt. Brian Williams, an 87th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, trained 15 Military Working Dog teams providing explosive detection for 21 U.S. Secret Service missions, resulting in the highest mission tempo in Air Mobility Command. Additionally, he took part in the annual Soldier Ride at the White House, providing global exposure for all combat wounded warriors and was coined by the president of the United States.

Williams was recognized for his leadership by the Carolina Panthers as part of their Salute to the Service campaign, and was voted the victor of the first American Airman Video Contest which was viewed 21,000 times.

“The range and type of achievements and contributions our recipients have made to the Department of Defense demonstrates unequivocally, and much better than any words could ever say, that each of us is truly made up of many parts,” Carson said. “The DOD needs each of us to accomplish the effective, collective mission of protecting our national security both today and tomorrow.”