178th Airman shares her Airman of the Year experience Published Dec. 16, 2016 By Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Stahl 178th Wing SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- When Staff Sgt. Jennifer Masters that she was selected as Airman of the Year for the 178th Wing, she was completely shocked. She had no idea what laid ahead for her in 2016. She was notified in December 2015 that she was the Airman of the Year for the 178th Wing then at a state awards banquet in January, Masters was selected as Airman of the Year for the State of Ohio competing against seven other winners from other Ohio Air National Guard units. Masters received a surprise phone call from Maj. Gen. Mark Bartman, Adjutant General Ohio National Guard, in early May 2015 informing her that she had been selected as Airman of the Year for the entire Air National Guard where she competed against 54 individuals in the Airman category. "I still was in disbelief about the wing level," said Masters. "Then the state level happened. By this point I didn't really believe it. I was still new to this entire state. It was amazing and humbling all at the same time." In her first duty as newly-selected Airman of the Year Masters made a one week trip to the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Washington D.C. Masters spent several days participating in photo and video shoots for promotional products that would be used throughout the year, as well as preparing for the Air Force level awards competition. Masters, along with the other Air National Guard winners met with Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of Air National Guard and Command Chief Master Sgt. of the Air National Guard, Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Anderson. "At this meeting we got to say who we were, say what our background is, any issues that we think are already going on in the Guard," said Masters. Her second trip to Washington D.C. was in August for a ceremony honoring all of the award winners. The award winners also were treated to dinners at Gen. Rice's and Chief Master Sgt. Anderson's houses. All of the award winners were also able to participate in the Chief's Executives Course, a training course designed for new Chief Master Sergeants. "The Chief's Executive Course was listed on there, but I had no idea; I thought we were going to sit in the back and just kind of see another aspect of the Air Force and the Guard, but instead we were, last minute, told to sit in the front row of this Chief's Executive Course while past command chiefs speak about issues they had during their command and how they addressed them," said Masters. The award winners also spent time with the Enlisted Field Advisory Council. This council reports directly to the Command Chief with enlisted issues and works at resolving them. "We were able to sit down with the Enlisted Field Advisory Council the next day." said Masters. "We sat on a panel with them and we were asked what issues Airman at our wing are facing." Other activities while in Washington D.C. were going to Capitol Hill to meet with legislative liaisons and attend a Washington Capitol's baseball game. Upon returning to Ohio, Masters was honored by throwing out the first pitch at a Columbus Clippers baseball game. Masters returned to Washington D.C. in December to attend the Air Force Association National Convention at the National Harbor. There she was able to hear presentations from the Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Chief Master Sgt. James Cody. "This entire experience, from winning at the wing level; honestly winning at the group level, wining at state, and then national level has been every bit of exciting, every bit of a whirl wind, and every bit of humbling," said Masters. Even with her numerous accolades, Masters remains humbled by the support of her fellow Airmen. "I've got an amazing team who doesn't just stop at the people who sit beside me at work," continued Masters. "It goes to all the crew members that are there, it goes to all the individuals on base that jumped through hoops for me. I had individuals in clothing issue who were last minute trying to get me uniforms just to make sure I didn't look like a crazy because now I am pregnant and I don't know how big I will be. I had individuals at Force Support Squadron who were double checking my ribbon rack for me or people at Finance who are working their tails off to make sure that I am getting paid because switching from title 10 to title 32, back to title 10 (orders) back and forth all Summer. Even individuals at our building who are constantly cutting me orders, starting them, and cutting them again, it's a lot of work to put someone in this position to send them forward. I couldn't have done it without any of them. You can never win an award by yourself," said Masters. Masters will continue as Airman of the Year for the Air National Guard until early 2017 when a new Airman will be selected.