Tyndall Airman receives GEICO award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sergeant Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Technical Sgt. Darren Wittmann, 325th Maintenance Group quality insurance inspector recently received the Air Education and Training Command GEICO Military Service Award in the Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention category.

This award recognizes enlisted active duty, Reserve, or National Guard members from all military service branches for contributions to military or private-sector communities in any of the following categories: drug and alcohol abuse prevention; fire safety and fire prevention; and traffic safety and accident prevention.

"Sergeant Wittmann is a tenacious inspector and dedicated Airman," said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Kruse, 325th MXG quality assurance flight superintendent. "He won this award for the work and oversight he put into the squadron motorcycle safety programs, emphasizing risk management, enforcing compliance, and instructing mishap prevention techniques, just to name a few."

Sergeant Wittmann, native of Daytona Beach, Fla., arrived at Tyndall in November 2009.

"I am a weapons troop by trade," said Sergeant Wittmann. "Right now I fall under quality assurance, where my role is to make sure everyone on the flightline is following technical data. I also inspect equipment and ensure personnel are performing their duties appropriately."

Sergeant Wittmann said he thoroughly enjoys his job.

"It is rewarding to know people are doing things properly, which in turn benefits not just the Air Force but the mission and everything that encompasses it," Sergeant Wittmann said. "We are here to do a job and accomplish it in a safe and timely manner."

Earning this award was no easy feat and he was extremely surprised..

"I'm ecstatic," said Sergeant Wittmann. "I didn't think it would go as far as far as the major command level. I am really excited."

Sergeant Wittman will now go on to compete at the Air Force level. But, in the meantime, he is working toward achieving additional goals.

"I am concentrating on making master sergeant," Sergeant Wittmann said. "I will also be starting a new position soon, in the weapons career field, training weapons personnel."