Tyndall Centurions dominate AETC awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Awards Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Within a matter of weeks, the 325th Security Forces Squadron has been recognized at the Major Command level and the AIr Force level for their outstanding dedication to the mission and the Airmen.

Air Education and Training Command named the squadron as the 2009 Verne Orr Award  winners. At the Air Force level, the squadron was awarded the Security Forces Best Medium Size Unit for 2009.

Major David Boyd, 325th SFS Commander, credits the achievements to his Airmen and the squadron's ability to reverse the chain of command in the unit.

"We took the organizational structure, and where historically the commander would sit on the top and your different functions would fall underneath,  we inverted it," said Major Boyd. "So my role and the chief's roles are at the bottom; we are just a supporting element. It is not about what folks can do for us, but what we can do for them."

Former Security Forces Manager, Chief Master Sgt. Gean Alston, 325th Mission Support Group Superintendent, also recognized the importance of allowing the Airmen to take the reins.

"We try to let the Airmen know they are first," said Chief Alston. "It is critical we take care of the people, so they can take care of the mission."

Security Forces have a high deployment rate and the need for emphasis on morale and camaraderie is crucial.

"You have to be like a family," said Major Boyd. "Every family has dysfunction and you take it with a grain of salt. The importance is in everything you do, it's how you talk to people, and it's how you make them feel welcome."

The squadron runs several programs to ensure they are able to follow through with what they are teaching.

Anytime Airmen deploy their picture is taken and hung in what is called the 'hall-of-heroes.' The squadron also has monthly picnics for hail and farewells, gift baskets for new children, and hand written birthday cards.

But, it does not stop there.

"We took down all the motivational posters on the hall walls," said Major Boyd. "We replaced them with pictures of our own Airmen."

When the Airmen's families come to visit they are given a tour of the squadron building, the k-9 kennels, meet with the commander, and much more.

But, possibly the most vital of additons to the squadron has been the implementation of the Centurion motto.

"Most military people that say they were in the Wolf Pack, get the response 'oh you were in Korea,'" said Chief Alston. "We tried to create that same thing here, so in the future when someone asks where the Airmen came from and they can say I was a Centurion, then the response will be, 'oh you were at Tyndall."