Airey NCO Academy instructor wins AETC award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A Tyndall Airman recently received the 2010 Air Education and Training Command Enlisted Educator of the Year Award at the AETC Symposium in San Antonio.

Master Sgt. Cameron H. Johnson, Airey NCO Academy instructor, has been teaching for nearly three years. His urge to make changes drove him to apply for the job.

"In my opinion, I felt like there was a lack of strong leadership at the staff and technical Sergeant level; moreover, I did not see Airmen being mentored and developed to the degree that I had received as I was coming up through the ranks," said Sergeant Johnson. "With all that being said, I had an outstanding experience when I came through the NCO Academy as a student and I looked at becoming a professional military education instructor as an opportunity to help shape and develop noncommissioned officers."

Sergeant Johnson, originally signed-up to serve, as a sort of family tradition.

"It may sound cliché, but I wanted to join the military for as long as I can remember," said Sergeant Johnson. "My father and two of my brothers were in the military, so I guess that it was in my blood. I came in as a 2W0X1, Munitions Systems, or otherwise referred to as 'ammo.'"

The transition from an ammo troop to a PME instructor was no easy feat, but Sergeant Johnson said he has no regrets. He enjoys guiding the Airmen.

"The students are the best and most challenging part of this job," said Sergeant Johnson. "What other job in the Air Force affords you the opportunity to work side-by-side with just about every Air Force specialty code. I feel like I learn just as much from the students as they do from this course."

Sergeant Johnson teaches several groups of Airmen a year and they are never the same.

"Every seven weeks we get a new group of students with different personalities and issues to work through, so no one day is ever the same; furthermore, just when you think that you have encountered all of the possible leadership scenarios, something will popup that you could not foresee," said Sergeant Johnson. "Nevertheless, it is all worth it, this has been one of the most rewarding jobs that I have ever had the privilege to serve in."

Sergeant Johnson is well praised at the academy for his dedication to the job.

"He is, hands down, my subject matter expert when it comes to professional military education," said Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar, Airey NCOA commandant. "Whenever tough questions are asked or Air Force comes down and says they need some work done, we put him on it. He is great."

When Sergeant Johnson is not working, he is spending time with his family.

"I am happily married to my wife Ebonie, she has and always will be my rock," said Sergeant Johnson. "We met and were married while we were both on active duty; she has since separated and has gone on to excel in academics. She recently earned a master's degree in human resources."

Together, they have three children.

"We have the most amazing kids in the world," said Sergeant Johnson. "Our oldest daughter, Brie, is a senior at Mosley High School and is ecstatic about receiving her diploma in May. Romelo, our son, is in the seventh grade and is our own version of Bruce Lee, he just received his purple belt in karate and the youngest, Ellis, is in the fifth grade and loves every facet of learning."

Overall, Sergeant Johnson said he would not be where he is today without the people he has in his life.

"I truly feel honored to be our academy's representative for this award," said Sergeant Johnson. "However, I don't look at it as an individual accomplishment, but rather as a team award. I work with some of the most dynamic NCOs in the Air Force and all of their contributions to our academy made this award possible, so a big thank you to team Airey."