SSgt Tanya Choyce, Altus Award Winner

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  SSgt Tanya Choyce is the 2009 Headquarters Air Education and Training Commander Honor Guard Manager.

This award recognizes the enlisted base-level program manager who has made the most significant contribution in the area of base honor guard program management. All base-level honor guard noncommissioned officers in charge and program managers, in include Air National Guard and Reserve members are eligible for this award.

Examples of accomplishments include but are not limited to: participation and impact on ceremonies, participation in training opportunities, and programs initiated by the nominee that contributed significantly to the base honor guard mission.

"I want people to know that this has been an awesome and rewarding experience for me, one that I will never forget." said SSgt Choyce.

SSgt Choyce is an expert leader for the 97th Air Mobility Wing's 30 member Blue Knights Honor Guard, serving a 39,000 square mile region. Her proven mentoring led to one of the Blue Knight's selection as the 2008 AETC Honor Guard member of the year. She is responsible for a $7000 weapons account, and maintained 53 weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition with a discrepancy free annual inspection. Additionally, she took the lead in repairing and refurbishing 20 rifles, which saved $2,000. She also coordinated the purchase of $30,000 in equipment and uniforms, to ensure the Blue Knights are 100 percent mission ready.

As part of that mission readiness, she highlighted the need for a dedicated honor guard vehicle, which decreased the workload on vehicle operations 36 percent. Choyce also identified a 50 percent manning loss due to deployments, and trained four new members in time to prevent mission limitations.

SSgt Choyce knows the importance of the work she does. "I would recommend that regardless of the position you're in, you should aspire to do your best and to always take care of your Airman."

In addition to this and all her other duties, SSgt Choyce makes education a priority; she earned 15 credits toward her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. She re-authored a five year old honor guard instruction which revised outdated policies, and reworked the honor guard training program to emphasize perfection, image, and bearing.

SSgt Choyce graduated Huntingdon High School, Tenn., and is married to MSgt James Choyce. The Choyces have family in Huntingdon and Merced, Calif. SSgt Choyce is working towards her degree with Kaplan University.

"I would credit this award to the Blue Knights honor guard team; they are a group of talented and professional individuals. Their attention to detail inspires me to be a better NCO. I also give credit to my family because without their support I wouldn't be able to perform my job to the best of my abilities." said Choyce.

As the AETC winner, SSgt Choyce will compete at the Air Force level. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or his designee will announce those award winners prior to the annual Air Force Sergeants Association Convention 14 - 18 August in Atlanta, Ga.