AF nominates Airmen for 2015 GEICO Military Service Award

  • Published
  • By Janis El Shabazz
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force Personnel Center officials have nominated four Airmen for the 2015 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Award.

The categories and nominees are as follows:

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Category: Master Sgt. Charleen Jones, the Directorate of Medical Services and Training, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

Jones manages the Air Force's largest drug demand reduction program, which processed 96,000 specimens annually for 26 agencies. She spearheaded drug education for youth programs, providing 5,000 hours of education to 15,000 children at public schools and youth centers nationally. Jones also created the Air Force's largest counselor training platform, resulting in 144 internationally certified alcohol counselors, saving 2,133 provider hours and more than $500,000 annually.

Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Category: Master Sgt. Michael Champion, assigned to the 312th Training Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

As a deployed assistant fire chief, Champion oversaw the elimination of 875 safety fire hazards for a population of 15,000 combat personnel, reduced fires by 92 percent and kept nearly 4 billion in critical war assets safe. He led his team to a perfect score on a high risk course review, achieved a 54 percent reduction in total mishaps and a 67 percent reduction in fire ground heat stress related incidents.

Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention Category: Master Sgt. Benjamin Ackerman, from the 344th Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Ackerman managed the motorcycle safety program for more than 200 members. The training, mentoring and workshops he offered riders resulted in a sustained zero mishap posting for the squadron. Additionally, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, he raised more than $25,000 and inspired the release of $25 million for Texas motorcycle awareness. He also led 325 riders to the state Capitol and gained Senate support for safety and anti-profiling laws.

Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard Category: Master Sgt. Joi Pearson, assigned to the Promotion Board Eligibility Division, Buckley AFB, Colorado.

Pearson was awarded a master's degree in community counseling while pursuing a state certification as a licensed certified addiction counselor. She led 108 classes on driving while intoxicated, relapse prevention and anger management, providing support to clients on- and off-duty. Within three months, she reduced recidivism leading to a 90 percent decline in traffic safety and drug and alcohol violations.

GEICO will select recipients in each category from all nominees submitted by each of the military services. Those recipients will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., next spring.

For more information about Air Force personnel programs go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following the instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website.