SJ NCO wins AFSA international award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  A recently-promoted master sergeant from the 4th Medical Group won the Air Force Sergeant's Association International NCO of the Year Award during the Professional Airmen's Conference gala July 27 in San Antonio.

Master Sgt. Nina Anderson, 4th Medical Operations Squadron flight chief, was the nominee for AFSA Chapter 371 here and went up against nine others from around the region in March for the division level award and won before heading to San Antonio.

"I'm very competitive, I do a lot of things," Anderson said.

Anderson is a licensed practical nurse and recently completed a master's degree in healthcare management. In addition to her normal duties, she is the president of the 4th MDG Top 4, on the executive council for AFSA Chapter 371, and volunteers at the local soup kitchen, Meals on Wheels and visits the elderly at nursing homes after church on Sundays.

"Master Sgt. Anderson is an awesome person, dynamic NCO and, more recently, senior NCO," said Chief Master Sgt. Bionca Lindsey, 4th MDG superintendent. "(She) is an example of hope for tomorrow's senior NCOs, NCOs and Airmen. She is the complete package both on duty and off with a sense of compassion not matched by any. I am honored to serve with and for her and blessed to be in her presence."

During her time in San Antonio, Anderson and 12 other nominees took in the Professional Airmen's Conference and got the opportunity to listen to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Gen. Norton Schwartz, U.S. Air Force chief of staff, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, as well as many others speak. The nominees also went in front of a board of retired chief master sergeants of the Air Force and active duty chiefs before the winner was announced at the gala.

"I was so excited (when they announced my name)," Anderson said. "I was so overwhelmed with joy that I just sat there for a few moments."

Anderson enjoyed many experiences while in San Antonio, though one stands out in her mind.

"I think the highlight for me was sitting down with Chief Roy," she said. "Also, when he presented the award to me on stage that night he said to me 'You're going places in the Air Force.' It was a great Air Force moment."

Though Anderson has won many awards in her 17-and-a-half-year military career, she is very humble.

"I do a lot for the community and I don't do it to win awards," she said. "I do it because I was raised by two wonderful parents ... that instilled great values in me to go out and volunteer and do things and be all I can be. To do the best and be the best and that's what I strive for and that's what I tell my Airmen to strive for. I am very blessed and fortunate that I have a supportive husband and family and supportive leadership that's there for me 24/7 to guide me in the right direction."

AFSA is a professional organization that strives to make a difference for active duty and retired enlisted Airmen, according to Anderson. The organization lobbies on Capitol Hill for increased wages and benefits. It is responsible for paternity leave for new fathers and the new G.I. Bill in which servicemembers can relay their benefits to their children.

For more information about AFSA, visit the website at www.hqafsa.org.