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Dual-hatted investigator pursuing life-long interest

  • Published
  • By Wayne Amann
  • OSI Public Affairs
Editor’s Note: As part of OSI’s Black History Month Observance, we highlight members who represent the Diversity and Inclusion of the Command.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius
That saying can easily apply to an Office of Special Investigations NCO who is living her law enforcement dream.
Since November 2018, Staff Sgt. Ami Malone, has served in a unique position while with the 434th Security Forces Squadron, Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. She operates as a dual role member to the Office of Special Investigations, 1st Field Investigative Region, 10th Field Investigative Squadron, Operating Location Delta, at Grissom.
When she assumed the dual-hatted position, she became the first and only person in Air Force Reserve Command to serve in Security Forces while being assigned to OSI. Grissom is the first AFRC base to be approved for such a position.
“I never imagined or expected it,” Malone said in a previous interview about being chosen for the position. “I was recruited to operate on the Joint Drug Enforcement Team and Joint Sexual Assault Team.”
There, she conducts investigations and operations pertinent to narcotics in the military and sexual assaults in the military. Prior to joining the JDET/JSAT team with OSI, Inv. Malone was an Investigator with the 434th Security Forces Office of Investigations.
Her security forces experience postured her to become an OSI investigator.
“Being a defender requires you to be comfortable with effectively communicating with people, as well as being a professional and flexible Airman,” she explained. “Prior to working with OSI, I was selected to be a part of the SF Office of Investigations team. This opened the window to becoming familiar with the interview room, running cases and a lot of the behind the scene leg work that comes with the job. While OSI is different in many aspects, SF laid the foundation to my understanding of being a professional investigator.”
What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of her dual-hatted duties?
“It’s extremely rewarding for me when I am able to piece together a puzzle of facts,” Inv. Malone said. “It can be challenging if you are not able to gain the information necessary to prove or disprove an allegation. My unique role keeps me on my toes, and I enjoy it.”
She decided on her future while in school.
“I knew I wanted to pursue a law enforcement career when I was studying criminal justice as an undergrad student,” Inv. Malone recalled. “I joined the Air Force because I wanted to pursue other law enforcement like the CIA ore FBI, so I thought why not serve my country while pursuing that?”
Her law enforcement expectations have been met by her law enforcement experiences on different levels.
“I’ve worked alongside several civilian, state and federal law enforcement agencies and have gained some of their insight and knowledge,” she said. “I’ve also gained so much perspective while working cases, and assisting other OSI detachments on leads. Every case is different, and there is more than one way to execute a situation. I’ve had the pleasure of learning this while in this position.”
What lies ahead for Inv. Malone?
“My goal is to become an OSI special agent and learn as much as I can, while bringing my knowledge and experience as a JDET/JSAT member to the organization,” the Illinois native said. “I’ve received tremendous support from OSI and SF on my future career goals.”
Inv. Malone is also keenly aware of the important role Diversity and Inclusion plays in a law enforcement agency.
“Being a black woman in this career field has been a unique experience, especially during some of the most recent events across our nation,” she said. “OSI has been steadfast in discussing and understanding race relations. This forward movement makes me extremely proud to be a part of this organization. There are so many women, especially black women, who have broken down barriers for myself and many others to operate in roles that our parents and grandparents could only dream about. I want to be able to do the same, and continue to fill in the gap.”

Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Douglas Hays
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Josh Weaver
Public affairs operations chief

Master Sgt. Josh Weaver
NCOIC of public affairs

Master Sgt. Rachel Barton
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Alexis Morris
Staff writer

Airman 1st Class Elise Faurote
Staff writer