SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Professionalism, concern for fellow service members, commitment to community service; these are some of the selection criteria to be nominated for the United Service Organization Service Member of the Year Award.
One service member from each branch of the military is recognized for acts of bravery, and the nominees are honored at the USO’s annual fall gala, which was held on Oct. 1 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Tech. Sgt. Alfred Greene, 4th Medical Group aerospace medical service craftsman, was nominated for the award due to his selfless volunteer work completed stateside, as well as overseas. Although he did not win, Greene still has more than 50 hours of volunteering behind him. Col. Christopher Sage, 4th Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Shane Wagner, 4th Fighter Wing command chief, attended the gala in support of Greene.
While Greene didn’t receive any special recognition while deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, he and two other nurses assisted a large amount of patients during a mass casualty incident.
Greene said volunteering is important to him because it is a way to give back to those who already gave to their community.
“The main volunteer event that sticks out in my head is the Purple Heart Banquet,” said Greene. “It was important to me because it was my chance to give back to those who already gave, and those that were wounded and injured during their conflicts.”
According to Greene, he helped set up and tear down all the decorations, and supervised more than 10 Airmen during the assembly of the Purple Heart banquet which honored more than 40 Purple Heart recipients.
Master Sgt. Randall Hayes, 4th Medical Operations Squadron family health clinic superintendent, has worked with Greene for several years.
“Greene's attitude has carried over to both leadership and the staff he works with on a daily basis,” said Hayes. “His positive and can-do attitude has brought out the very best in the technicians, nurses, and providers he works with. His leadership, guidance, work ethic and attitude played a huge part in the Family Health Clinic being awarded the Patient Centered Medical Home Team of the Year for 2015.”
Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca Alaniz, 4th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent, also works with Greene and is familiar with his work habits.
“Greene’s work ethic is superb,” said Alaniz. “He exhibits integrity that can be seen in all aspects of his work, and is constantly stepping up where there is a need in the Medical Group. This can be seen in his role as the leader of the Medical Group Wing Inspection Team, and as the manager of the medication administration for all of the medical technicians for the Medical Group.”
Greene was the only service member in North Carolina to be chosen as a nominee for the USO award.
“I feel so honored,” said Greene. “To know my leadership skills and volunteer work was recognized is truly an amazing feeling.”
According to Greene, he feels volunteering is a major part of being in the Air Force.
“Volunteering goes along with that whole wingman concept,” said Greene. “It’s really a big part of our service to try and give back to the community, whether it be the military or civilian side. Give back, that way we can foster that teamwork and community service.”