Vance begins Warrior of the Week Program

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In order to recognize the hard work of the members of Team Vance, Col. Chris Nowland, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, implemented the 71st FTW Warrior of the Week program.

The program is in response to feedback from the base's annual Wingman Day. There was a strong request for a new way to acknowledge the day-to-day efforts of those on base who might not be receiving credit beyond the unit level. Nominees for Warrior of the Week can be military, active duty or reserve, or Department of Defense civilian employees. 

"A big part of why we're so successful in our mission here at Vance is because of all the effort that goes on behind the scenes, things we take for granted," said Colonel Nowland. "This program will give us a way to thank the people who put in that effort, especially our young Airmen and officers." 

Nominations for the program will be submitted every Monday by no later than 4:30 PM. Each group will send their nominations in e-mail format to the wing commander's executive officer at 71ftw.cce@vance.af.mil. The nominations should be simple, no more than three lines long. 

Tuesdays, Colonel Nowland, Colonel Murphy, and Chief Gonzalez will decide the winner. The group commander and squadron commander of the winner will be notified. 

At the Wednesday Wing Staff meetings, the squadron commander of the winner will introduce the Warrior of the Week to the staff, providing some background information as to who the winner is, where they work, and why they were nominated. 

Following the introduction, the wing commander will formally thank the Warrior of the Week for their outstanding contribution to the Vance mission, and will present them with his commander's coin in front of wing leadership. 

"We want to make sure that we're taking care of our people at all levels," said Col. Richard Murphy, 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander. 

The nominees for the first week of this new program were submitted on Jan. 12 and the first presentation took place at the Wing Staff meeting on Jan. 14. This week's winner was 1st Lt. Tara Nelson, a Financial Services officer with the 71st Comptroller-Contractor Squadron.