434th AMDS 'shirt' awarded wing top honor Published April 2, 2012 By Lt. Col. Gary Lockard 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Master Sgt. James Malloy was recently selected as the 434th Air Refueling Wing First Sergeant of the Year 2011. Malloy was the 434th Communications Squadron first sergeant prior to assuming his current role in the 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron. During this time he also volunteered his time as the superintendent of the 434th ARW Seasoning Training Flight. "This award is really about the supervisors I've been blessed to have who brought me up and put me in a position of success," stated the 23-year veteran of the Air Force in discussing his award. It was Malloy's accomplishments while assigned to the 434th STF that paved the way for his selection as first sergeant of the year. The STF consists of Airmen who have graduated from technical training school and voluntarily remain on temporary active duty to receive on-the-job training that accelerates their advancement to the next skill level. "Through the evolution of the Air Force, we're always going to do bigger and better things," explained Malloy. "It's exciting to see someone come from technical training school and see what they may be capable of in the future." The majority of those assigned to the STF are new to the Air Force and Malloy mentored more than 75 Airmen during their initial tour of duty at Grissom. The first sergeant ensured they completed stringent physical fitness and training requirements. "My greatest rewards come from helping people out on things like their fitness test," he explained. "There have been several people I ran with during their test to encourage them along the way, and it's extremely rewarding when you know what you've done to help them out is appreciated and you've brought the best out of them." While the Airmen in the 434th STF benefited from Malloy's leadership, he also learned valuable lessons from them. "It goes hand in hand; anytime you work with people, they build up your skills enabling you to do more," he explained. "My time as the STF director helped me as a first sergeant, and my experience as a first sergeant definitely helped me as the STF director." In addition to his work with the 434th STF, Malloy was lauded for his first sergeant duties with the 434th CS, which included preparation for a compliance inspection, management of the unit's family care plan, organizing unit morale events and serving as a liaison between the 434th CS commander and the squadron's enlisted force. An avid runner who logged more than 1,100 miles last year, Malloy is currently working towards a degree in criminal justice through both the Community College of the Air Force and Lansing Community College. He has completed leadership and management courses in association with his civilian occupation with the Michigan Department of Corrections and has volunteered his time to assist with Grissom's First Sergeant Council, Enlisted Development Plan Board, Kokomo Disabled Veterans and the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, Ind. Malloy summarized his personal philosophy by stating, "Being in the Air Force is a constant improvement process, and we should always strive to improve ourselves. Take ownership of what you do because it makes your time in the Air Force more enjoyable and sets you up for getter success." The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Twitter and Facebook.
