Two Barksdale Airmen receive Distinguished Graduate during NCOA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Demonstrating the core value of excellence, two Barksdale Airmen earned the Distinguished Graduate Award while attending NCO Academy at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas on Dec. 18, 2013.

Tech. Sgt. Gary Borden, 2nd Munitions Squadron munitions inspector, and Tech. Sgt. Shanaysha Evans, 2nd Medical Operations Squadron women's health NCO in-charge, were presented their awards during the graduation ceremony.

"I was surprised," Borden said. "The most important thing to me was knowing I was able to help my fellow Airmen with studying and staying focused on the task at hand. I appreciate being recognized by my peers for the award."

Distinguished Graduates are graded on tests, speeches and essays as well as being selected by their classmates and instructors.

"I didn't go to NCOA to specifically earn Distinguished Graduate," said Borden. "I went to do my job and do the best I could and learn everything I could learn in the process."

Borden and Evans were among 13 individuals out of approximately 140 Airmen who received this unique honor.

"I went in with the mentality that I would study and pass," said Evans. "You can't expect NCO Academy to come easily, because it doesn't. It was a lot of hard work and dedication including peer study groups and trying to make sure we all made it through."

Being away from family was also a huge motivation, she added.

This accomplishment, only given to the top ten percent of each class, is awarded to those who distinguish themselves based on their academic performance, leadership and dedication to their flight.

"I'm not a person to have the attitude that I need to win an award," said Borden. "The best advice I can give is to go in 100 percent, study and if the acknowledgment comes, it's because you did your part to earn it.

Don't ever self-eliminate, he added.

Along with their awards, Borden and Evans received 11 credit hours through the Community College of the Air Force.