Major Matthew Martin, Altus AFB award winner!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Arnold
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
8/10/2010 --  ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Maj. Matthew Martin is the recipient of the field grade officer of the quarter award for the second quarter of 2010 at Altus Air Force Base.

When asked what Major Martin credits his award to, he said, "I credit my award to the support of my co-workers as well as my family. I would not have been able to be nominated for this award without the effort and support of my office and family."

Major Martin's primary duty is a 97th Training Squadron student flight commander/instructor pilot. During the quarter Major Martin was the 97th Air Mobility Wing point of contact for C-17 and KC-135 senior officer courses. He coordinated training for 18 Air Force senior and general officer courses. He developed an emergency and contingency student accountability process plan, allowing 98 percent of students to be contacted within three hours. He created Air Education Training Command course prerequisites which reduced training losses by 10 percent; 150 hours were saved due to his plan. He also mentored over 300 students on Chief of Staff of the Air Force directed suicide prevention, according to his nomination package.

"I hope this award will help me be more competitive for career enrichment opportunities," said Major Martin.

Major Martin seeks to improve himself along with his base. During the quarter, he completed a 13-week financial management class, becoming instructor certified. He trained for an Olympic distance triathlon and his flight had a 100 percent flight fitness test pass rate. He volunteered five hours, ensuring the training squadron had the number one squadron booster club during the Altus Air Force Base air show with $3,900 going to 97th Training Squadron functions. He also completed a Military Operations Art & Science Master's Degree with a 3.84 overall grade point average.

In addition to all these accomplishments and more, Major Martin worked to improve his community. He was the co-president for a parent teacher fellowship of over 90 families and collecting $40,000 for a playground. He was the president of his local parish advisory council, managing a $50,000 budget.

"I would recommend hard work within your work area, striving to work as a team. Help others to succeed and they will help you. This also applies to the personal and community improvement. Make things better than when you first encountered them," said Major Martin.