Vance Warrior of the Week -- Master Sgt. Spencer Parker

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Master Sgt. Spencer Parker, 71st Flying Training Wing, was nominated as Warrior of the Week because "when it comes to military equal opportunity he walks the walk and talks the talk which is very important never shying away from the toughest issues," according to his supervisor, Capt. Richard Milton, chief of MEO. "He knows the job through and through, and as a professional, delivers a quality service to commanders and supervisors alike. Vance personnel approach him with confidence. As a program advocate and expert he is unbeatable."
As superintendent of the wing's MEO office, Sergeant Parker flawlessly managed a two-person office that conducted 13 assessments for more than 1,080 military members, and taught 35 courses for more than 570 Vance team members.
Looking for ways to increase mission effectiveness, the sergeant personally conducted 18 "out and about" visits to on- and off-base establishments to monitor the pulse of the human relations climate around the base and Enid. He also conducted a human relations enlisted dormitory survey involving 93 dorm residents, aiding the wing command chief with identifying and resolving key issues.
Sergeant Parker's leadership and hard work on behalf of the Air Force and the Enid community hasn't gone unnoticed as evidenced by his recent selection as the Air Education and Training Command nominee for the 2006 Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award in the military category.
Chief Master Sgt. Jim Suttles, 71 FTW command chief said Sergeant Parker earned the award because of his leadership and hard work on behalf of the Air Force and the Enid community.
"Sergeant Parker is a quiet professional and is proof that effective leadership can occur behind-the-scenes," Chief Suttles said.
"Sergeant Parker safeguards our MEO process and I have absolute trust in his leadership. I could not be more proud of him and his well-earned award.."
That award came on the heels of Sergeant Parker being selected AETC's Category II-B (small base) outstanding base-level MEO individual award winner in January,
Rather than seeing the honors as personal achievements, Sergeant Parker said the awards shows MEO is doing its job and that he is active in the community and able to touch many different projects and initiatives during his six years at Vance.
Part of his activity in the community comes from his off-duty educational pursuits. The Elm City, N.C., native completed his bachelor degree in business management in December. Completion of a master's in a conflict and negotiation management within the next 18 to 24 months is his next goal.
When not working or studying, the 19-year veteran of the Air Force enjoys spending time with his family.
Another highlight of 2005 for Sergeant Parker and his wife Myria, was the arrival of daughter Te'a, who joined brother, Spence Jr. and sister Anecia in the household.