PA specialist receives Veterans Day achievement award

Published Dec. 11, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Recognizing service that goes above and beyond the call of duty is a tenet of the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, which chose to honor one of Grissom's own.

Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner, 434th Air Refueling Wing public affairs specialist, was honored by the council with a 2012 Veterans Day Military Achievement Award.

"I was honored when I found out I had received the award," said Orders-Woempner. "Anytime leadership recognizes a person for an award it makes them feel appreciated and realize that all the hard work they have done has not gone unnoticed."

The Veterans Day Military Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have shown exemplary performance in their military careers. Orders-Woempner was one of two individuals from the 434th ARW to receive the award.

"Exemplary performance is part of our Air Force core values," added Orders-Woempner. "If we don't always strive for perfection, we will never have a chance to achieve it."

At Grissom, Orders-Woempner is the primary editor, writer, photographer and graphic designer for the base public internet and social media websites. In addition, he has written hundreds of stories for Grissom, Air Force Reserve Command and civilian media publications, and was named AFRC Photojournalist of the Year for 2011.

"The most rewarding aspect of my job is telling the stories of Grissom's Airmen, Soldiers and Marines," he said during the award presentation. "Grissom's service men and women sacrifice much for the sake of freedom, but often that goes unnoticed given the humble nature of our Hoosier heroes, so it's my pleasure and honor to tell the stories of their sacrifices, accomplishments and lives, and those of their families."

Orders-Woempner said he credits his success to his faith, supportive family and his military leadership.

"The Air Force is a culture of excellence, and I am proud to be part of an organization that has mentored me and brought me up in that," he added.

And, it was that positive attitude that helped get the PA noncommissioned officer hand-selected to help rewrite the Air Force public web communications instruction as well change the way the Air Force Reserve Command operates its public websites, making changes that will affect the way the entire Air Force communicates its mission to the public.

"Being able to have a job that you are passionate about and truly believe makes a difference is absolutely phenomenal," said Orders-Woempner. "But, being asked to help lead the way for the future was an amazing opportunity that is almost impossible for me to describe."

However, it was not just Orders-Woempner's duties as a public affairs specialist that set him apart as his achievements and participation in other capacities also showed his passion to serve.

Over the last year, the PA noncommissioned officer took on the responsibilities as the 434th ARW Staff unit deployment manager and was recognized for supporting 12 deployments in less than six months, said Lt. Col. Gary Lockard, 434th ARW chief of public affairs. He also took on the task of rebuilding Grissom's base honor guard as honor guard manager.

"No matter what the job is or how much you like it someone is counting on you to get the job done, and I will do everything in my power to not be a person who lets a fellow Airman down," Orders-Woempner explained. "I think no matter what you are assigned to do you should always put your best foot forward and do the job to the best of your ability."

Grissom is also home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Grissom PA specialist receives award

PA specialist receives Veterans Day achievement award

Public Affairs Staff