Three unit members named command's best personnel troops

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jay Ponder
  • 908th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
908th AW personnel professionals earned command honors for outstanding mission support in three categories and are now in competition at the Air Force level.

Senior Master Sgt. Martha E. Roy, Master Sgt. Teresa Cruger and Senior Airman Tifarah Boyd are the AFRC nominees for the Outstanding USAF Personnel Manager of the Year Award in the personnel superintendent, unit level personnel technician and personnel specialist categories, respectively. The Personnel Manager of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made important contributions in a military personnel function that resulted in benefits to both individuals and the Air Force.

Sergeant Roy, 908th Military Personnel Flight's superintendent, earned recognition for the exceptional personnel services provided to more than 450 wing members for real world Global War on Terrorism deployments. Especially noteworthy was her development of a database that accurately monitors and maintains all line of duty forms. Nine other bases have adopted the database and are reaping the benefits of a better tracking system.

"It was an honor and privilege to have been selected for this award," she said.

She credited her success "to all the outstanding MPF team members and a supportive family."

Two years ago she was selected as the 908th AW's Senior NCO of the Year as well as one of 22 military members in Alabama to receive the Alabama Governor's Award. The sergeant is a member of the Maxwell/Gunter Top Three Association, the 908th AW Top Three Association and the Air Force Sergeant's Association.

Master Sgt. Teresa Cruger, NCOIC of the 357th Airlift Squadron's commander's support staff, earned recognition as the command's top unit level personnel technician based on accomplishments during a two-year activation that included three deployments to a combat theater.

Sergeant Roy described her fellow award winner as "a flexible team player who is willing to go the extra distance to complete the mission."

Born in Birmingham, the Huntsville resident was handpicked to be a member of the initial staff of a new expeditionary airlift squadron established at one of the three deployed locations she served at during her activation.

Sergeant Cruger was humble about receiving the award. "What an honor it was," she exclaimed, "It was an honor that my commander thought enough of me to recommend me for this award."

The sergeant oversees an orderly room that responds to an airlift squadron, operations support flight and group headquarters. "I owe this to the leadership and the people of the MPF who have been a fantastic help to me," she said commenting about her award.

Though Sergeant Cruger is humble about her deeds, she made a huge difference in the lives of those families whose spouses were deployed, assisting the families of deployed personnel during natural disasters, emergency leaves, spousal contacts and the coordination of wing family support dinners. She even initiated and implemented a program that maintained the automobile batteries of deployed members.

Senior Airman Tifarah Boyd, 908th MPF's chief of customer service, rounds out the trio of personnel award winners, earning top honors in the personnel specialist category.

"I am thrilled to win the award," said Airman Boyd, "it is an honor to represent the MPF as an airman."

As customer service chief, Airman Boyd makes sure all customers that come to her department are taken care of, including having their questions answered satisfactorily. She ensures ID cards are kept safe and accurate and ensures personnel histories remain up-to-date.

Sergeant Roy said Airman Boyd was a dedicated team player and deserving award winner. "She maintains a smile and a positive attitude in all she does. Her goal is to ensure that our customers are treated as genuine customers and not just another number in the system."

"I work hard and I never slack up. I set high goals," said the senior airman, who earlier this year was named as the 908th AW's 2005 Airman of the Year.

She attends Troy State University and will soon complete her bachelor's degree in business management.

"I love the people and I enjoy working here," she said describing her feelings about the wing and her duty section.

Saying she believes the 908th has a winning team of personnelists spanning from the MPF to all the units, Sergeant Roy said, "I would love to see more packages submitted next year so that the command can see what we have at Maxwell AFB.