Medical technician named Airman of the Year

Published May 13, 2015
By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Going above and beyond the call of duty to help ensure the mission is successful is part of the core beliefs and values of the Air Force; it's also a belief that a recently named Airman of the Year practices day in and day out.

This year, Senior Airman Brent Cannon, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron medical technician, was named the 434th ARW Airman of the Year for 2014 during an awards banquet here May 2.

"To win this award is such an honor," said Cannon. "I was shocked because I really didn't think I would get an award; I just come to work and do what is expected of me to the best of my ability."

Just doing what is expected didn't garner Cannon his award; going above and beyond what is expected helped him achieve top accolades from his superiors.

"He's one of the hardest workers here," said Tech. Sgt. Lisa Hendricks, 434th AMDS medical administrative assistant. "You can call him into do one thing and he'll do five more."

Going above and beyond he did; in 2014 Cannon helped oversee medical readiness processing of over 500 deployers with zero errors.

In conjunction, he successfully managed over 150 line of duties with zero errors and ensured proper medical evaluation and treatment of injured troops.

Cannon is also the chosen member of AMDS strategic planning group and contributed to the development of the unit's mission, vision and goals.

"You can ask him to do something small and he goes above and beyond," Hendricks added. "He always volunteers to help and is very independent."

He was also awarded the AMDS top three outstanding performer and received countless accolades from his commander, leaders and peers.

"When I first arrived here I only knew the basics of my job, not to the magnitude of what I know now," said Cannon. "And that's all due to the excellent training and leadership that we have in our squadron.

"I was actually thinking of displaying my trophy in the squadron trophy case because I believe it's an award for the squadron," he added.

It's that wingman mentality that Cannon's superiors and peers brag about when his name is brought up.

"He brings a very energetic and positive attitude to our squadron and everyone's happy to have him here," said Hendricks. "He really lightens the mood here."

While life and work can sometimes be stressful and juggling both can be somewhat of a challenge at times, Cannon offers up some advice on finding that right balance between happiness and work life.

"I feel that if you truly love your job you'll never have to work a single day in your life, and I really believe that," said Cannon.

The 434th AMDS is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.

News Search

2015 Airman of the year

Medical technician named Airman of the Year

Public Affairs Staff