VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- An Airman from the 71st Comptroller Squadron was named the 2017 Air Force Financial Management NCO of the Year.
Staff Sgt. Sammantha Jones, a financial analyst supervisor, was recognized for this Air Force level award for her exemplary performance and service to the Air Force.
“It was humbling,” said Jones.
From day one of sewing on staff sergeant in July 2017, Jones hit the ground running.
“She went from Airman Leadership School straight to leading the team here,” said Senior Master Sgt. Odulia Ashby, superintendent of the 71st CPTS. “She has been NCO in charge of the office, eccentrically, as a brand new staff sergeant.”
However, it did not stop there. When the budgeting officer was away, she would rise to the occasion and take over the duties of a GS-12. She not only supervised Airmen as a brand new staff sergeant, but she was also managing, distributing and balancing millions of dollars, said Ashby.
No one told her to do more. No one told her to handle these responsibilities. She was doing the jobs that needed to be done, said Ashby.
“I just stepped-up,” said Jones. “It is easy to sit back and wait until you are told to do something. But keeping an eye out and seeing what needs to be done is how I got to where I needed to be.”
Jones leaves for Officer Training School soon, trading her stripes for lieutenant bars. She leaves her Airmen with sound advice for their careers. “Do your job and do it well, take pride in your work and the rest will work itself out.”