Airmen of quarter overcome adversity, help youth, lead others

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. --  An award review board and the commander at I.G. Brown Training and Education Center recently selected three Airmen here as the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Detachment 10, third quarter awardees.

The Senior NCO, NCO, and civilian of the quarter learned of their selections when Col. Jessica Meyeraan, commander, announced them in a staff-wide email.

"Please join me in congratulating our outstanding members," said Meyeraan. "Thank you to each of you for choosing to serve the TEC and each other."

The Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter is Senior Master Sgt.  Shaun Withers, superintendent of professional and continuing education.

Officials said that Withers led his team's development of the General Officer Support Staff Course, which received kudos from students and senior leaders across the National Guard. He also managed 13 advanced distributive learning courses that trained 26,296 students, among other achievements.

Additionally, Withers publicly shared his personal resiliency in overcoming open-heart surgery last January, and later on, he trained for, and earned, an Excellent in his Air Force physical fitness test.

The Civilian of the Quarter is Tammie Smeltzer, PCE director.

Officials said that Smeltzer's first-rate design and delivery of the General Officer Staff Support Course included 24 hours of curriculum that trained 70 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. She also coordinated and trained more than 80 staff and 594 students in sexual assault response and prevention, among other accomplishments.

Additionally, Smeltzer's off-duty support as vice president of the ETMA Credit Union dovetailed its largest membership, said officials.

The NCO of the Quarter is Tech. Sgt. Jacob Sutton, enlisted professional military education instructor.

Officials said that Sutton instructed 30 EPME students during 173 class hours, which earned them 330 combined credit hours toward college degrees. He also supported a successful program management review by the Air Force Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, as well as earned a yellow belt certification by training in continuous process improvement.

Additionally, Sutton volunteered as a youth volleyball coach in his community.

Quarterly awardees receive recognition at the next commander's call as well as an award plaque and other accolades.