The best Airman, NCO and CGO in the state. That we didn’t win is irrelevant.
This morning, we drove to Columbus, for the Ohio Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year lunch. I was my base’s nominee for NCO of the year, which is itself an enormous honor. Before the lunch was a social hour, during which we stood around and schmoozed with Command Chiefs and Generals from State Headquarters, and I nervously sucked down hotel coffee.
Why I was nervous, I can’t really explain. It’s unlike me to be nervous in these types of situations, but then I’m not usually the one in the spotlight, either.
She loves me anyway.
They did a nice job of building the drama for each category, having each nominee stand while a brief bio was read, and displaying pictures of us on two big projector screens. They started from the top down, so my category was next to last. I stood when my name was called… and sat back down when the winner was announced.
I hate losing. A lot. I really hate losing when you make it all the way to the finals. Still, it was nice to be recognized by my command staff, and brought forward as the best they have to present among all their NCOs. And I did walk away with coins from the State Command Chief (CMSgt Phillips) and the ATAG (Maj Gen Bartman), so I didn’t leave empty handed.
This year will be a tough one to follow.