JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
A Joint Base Charleston Senior NCO was recently named by Air Force officials the Air Force's best Financial Management SNCO.
Master Sergeant Mark Thompson, 628th Comptroller Squadron financial analysis flight chief, was recognized as the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management SNCO of the Year for 2014.
"Master Sgt. Thompson's selection as Air Force's Financial Management Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year was very much deserved and felt like a win for all of us in the 628th CPTS," said Maj. Samual Shimp, 628th CPTS commander. "He's a true representation of what our entire organization is working to achieve, the highest level of professionalism and dedication to our customers, so that Joint Base Charleston is financially ready for any mission."
The Air Force-level award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and contributions to financial management.
In addition to his primary role as the financial management flight chief, during 2014, Thompson spent time filling the squadron's vacant superintendent role for four months as well as the additional duty first sergeant for all wing staff agency Airmen. He was awarded the Air Mobility Command Financial Management SNCO of the quarter twice.
During his time as an additional duty first sergeant, he oversaw numerous administrative and Uniform Code of Military Justice actions as well as two courts martial.
"By doing this job on a daily basis, I've developed a greater appreciation for what first sergeants do," said Thompson. "It's a broad scope. The magnitude of responsibilities and the many lives you touch each and every day."
As the financial analysis flight chief, Thompson led a 15-member team in executing the wing $172M budget while enduring a 10 percent budget cut and overcoming manning challenges, effectively enabling mission accomplishment and overall wing readiness. Additionally, he deployed as a C-17 paying agent on a humanitarian mission in support of Operation United Assistance, delivering 272,000 pounds of medical equipment and supplies to West Africa to help combat the Ebola outbreak.
Recognized as the top rated disbursing agent during his deployment to Southwest Asia, Thompson oversaw the largest disbursing operation within the Air Force Central Command's area of responsibility. He disbursed more than $18M supporting numerous contracting officers, paying agent pilots, 11,000 joint team and coalition warfighters.
"I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Airmen in the comptroller squadron, especially the men and women in the Financial Management Office, who have worked tirelessly to accomplish the financial management mission on a daily basis," said Thompson. "Without their hard work, leadership and dedication to duty, I would not be afforded the time to fulfill my first sergeant responsibilities in taking care of wing staff agency Airmen.
This award is a culmination of the efforts of the entire squadron's hard work throughout the year, and it's a humbling experience to be put at the forefront and be recognized for the accomplishments of the entire team."