Barksdale Airman receives GEICO Military Service Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A 2nd Security Forces Squadron Airman recently received the major command-level Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Award for 2011 and is a nominee for the Air Force-level GEICO award.

The GEICO Military Service Awards Program is used to spotlight enlisted members of the armed forces who make valuable and lasting contributions to the community.

As a nominee for the Air Force-level GEICO award, Staff Sgt. Garrett Thompson, 2 SFS police services staff NCO, could win a $2,500 cash prize and a full expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to receive the award in April 2012.

Thompson is excited for both his win at the major command-level and his nomination for the Air Force-level award, he said.

"This is my first award from Barksdale," said Thompson. "Winning the award goes to show if you love your job and put yourself out there, you can accomplish anything."

To be considered for the award he submitted a package that included his accomplishments, a biography, the reason he was being nominated, an endorsement letter and a photo. Some of his endeavors included designing traffic plans for the air show, participating in the national click-it or ticket program and participating at the annual U.S. kid's golf camp.

Those are just a few of the activities Thompson's supervisor, Master Sgt. Donald Clifton, police services NCO-in-charge, added to his nomination submission.

"It didn't take me long to fill up the page with his accomplishments," said Clifton. "Thompson shoulders a lot of the police services. A year ago, there were four people doing the same jobs two of them do now."

His hard work has paid off, Clifton said. It's a good win for him and it's a good win for the unit.

Thompson isn't the only nominee from Barksdale for a GEICO award. Christopher Bowman, 2 SFS, and Alejandro Vega, 2nd Force Support Squadron, were nominated for the 2011 GEICO Public Service Award.

The GEICO Public Service Award recognizes civilian employees who have served others and brought credit to the federal service through their efforts in substance abuse prevention and treatment, fire prevention and safety, physical rehabilitation, and traffic safety and accident prevention. The awards are scheduled to be presented April 2012.