JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Master Sgt. Steven Hart, 628th Security Forces Squadron, first sergeant was selected as the 2011 Air Mobility Command First Sergeant of the Year March 21.
Twelve finalists competed in four categories to become AMC's nominees for the Air Force-level competition for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Those categories included junior enlisted, Non Commissioned officer, senior NCO and first sergeant.
Hart is currently deployed with the 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.
"Master Sgt. Hart is an excellent first sergeant who truly cares about the troops," said Lt. Col. Frances Dorish, 628th Security Forces Squadron commander. "He is always willing to devote the extra time and effort to help Airmen and ensure their concerns are taken care of."
In 2011, Hart led a 499-member joint person squadron through 63 deployments, three operational readiness exercise fly-away missions and an operational readiness inspection. Additionally, Hart built and managed the cross fit program here, developed a fitness foundation course and headed the 628th Air Base Wing's "Festival of Fitness" planning committee.
"I feel really lucky to have won this award. I have a great commander and this is more than I ever thought I would receive," said Hart. "I truly appreciate all of the hard work everyone has put in to help me win this award."
Hart says he was influenced by past leaders such as his most memorable first sergeant, (Ret.) Chief Master Sgt. Rodney McKinley. He never thought he would be a role model like McKinley was to him.
"I genuinely care about my people. Sometimes Airmen need someone to talk to without being judged and I am here to listen," he added. "The leadership at Charleston always has the Airmen's best interest in mind. When I was a young Airman, I didn't always understand how decisions were made, but now I understand decisions are made with the Airmen's best interest at heart."
Hart moves on to the next level of competition where the Air Force Personnel Center will review nominees who represent not only major commands like AMC, but also direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force nominees. The board then selects 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements for the Air Force awards of Outstanding Airmen of the Year.
"Master Sgt. Hart is a true professional," said Dorish. "He embodies the Air Force core values and lives them. You never have to guess what you are going to get from Master Sgt. Hart, you know.
Portions of this article from Air Mobility Command Public Affairs.