Marconi named 434th ARW Civilian of the Year

Published April 2, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Serving those who serve is a common theme, but applying that principle made one civilian here an award winner.

Jill Marconi is the 434th Air Refueling Wing's Civilian of the Year for 2012.

Marconi, Grissom Airman and Family Readiness Center director, was recognized for her accomplishments during the year, including working with the Marine and Army units here to provide family services to all the organizations on Grissom.

"Serving the people who protect me and my family is very important to me," she said. "I don't wear the uniform, but I'll be here when you need me."

To that end, she maintained 100 percent contact with more than 300 families of deployed members during the year.

"If we focus on the families, that helps our deployers focus more on the mission and worry less about things at home," she explained.

She maximized donations and distributed more than 125 backpacks to reserve members and their school age children to help them cope with separations.

While she does work to make deployments as easy as possible for members and their families, she also works to ensure people know of the benefits they are entitled to as well.

"There's a difference between active-duty and reserve benefits," she said. "I think everyone deserves the same benefits and entitlements, so I do a lot of research to find out what people are entitled to. And if I'm told no, I start asking questions."

It's that attitude that base leadership points to as they recognize her.

"Her compassion for her fellow workers and members of this unit really make her stand out," said Lt. Col. Maureen McAllen, 434th Mission Support Group commander.

"If you go talk to Jill, you come back feeling better," McAllen said. "That positive attitude is there all the time, every day - and it makes a difference."

Whether it be hosting a children's holiday party, or scheduling financial management classes for Airmen, Marconi and her staff offer a broad range of support.

"She's willing to do anything and everything to help people," McAllen said. "It's the perfect position for her - we couldn't have anyone better in that position."

Grissom is home to the 434th ARW, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communications detachment. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Marconi named Civilian of the Year

Marconi named 434th ARW Civilian of the Year

Public Affairs Staff