Joint base Airman earns top AFSA award

Published Sept. 25, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Francis Lalic
21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The International Air Force Sergeant Association named Senior Airman Brian Buhrer the 2009 AFSA First-Term Airman of the Year during the Professional Airmen's Conference in Atlanta.

Airman Buhrer, an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman with the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron, represented AFSA Chapter 211, along with the other Division II nominees all over New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

"I am proud to announce that Airman Buhrer won the FTAY for the AFSA," said Master Sgt. Suzanne Roe, 87th CES first sergeant and AFSA Chapter 211 president. "As one can imagine, Airman Buhrer had an impressive package that highlighted his leadership and job performance in his primary duty, significant self improvement, and base and community involvement.

"In addition to his deployment and impressive achievements finding and destroying improvised explosive devices and ordnance, he was also active in taking classes and competing upgrade and advanced training," Sergeant Roe said.

Besides of all the extracurricular activities, part of his short-term goal is to graduate Airman Leadership School in order to complete his Community College of the Air Force degree. More so, Airman Buhrer would like to complete a bachelor's degree in economics as part of his long-term goals.

Airman Buhrer has also been active on base and in the local community. He helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity, a program that provides homes to low-income families. He was also actively involved with intramural sports and booster club activities.
At McGuire, Airman Buhrer participated in numerous emergency responses and U.S. Secret Service support missions.

The call for nominations for the award went out in late 2008. From chapter level to the AFSA-wide level, the award selection was based on several criteria, including quality job performance, leadership excellence, academic distinction and community involvement. The award package consisted of the Air Force Form 1206 and official photos.

In addition to the package submission, every nominee met a physical board and answered questions from a panel of chief master sergeants. During the interview, Airman Buhrer showcased and demonstrated the Air Force Airman's total package.

"Brian has a commanding presence, which undoubtedly made the chief's panel selection an easy one," Sergeant Roe added.

The chief's panel board members seemed impressed by Airman Buhrer's military bearing and presence.

The selection for Division II was also the same package and physical board with chiefs from various military bases and Airman Buhrer was announced the winner April 25 at the AFSA Division Convention in Dover, Del.

After the division-level selection, all award packages were submitted to AFSA International and yet another panel of chiefs made the selection based on the Air Force Form 1206 and photos only.

The announcement was made in late August.

"Senior Airman Buhrer is currently deployed, but we were able pass the good news to him since the process for his selection started in January," Sergeant Roe added.

"I feel extremely humbled by the selection," Airman Brian Buhrer said. "I feel that there are many young Airmen out there who do not get the recognition they truly deserve. I appreciate my supervisor taking the time to put me in for the award."

Airman Buhrer advises other Airmen to take every opportunity that comes their way.

"You never know where it might lead you or who you might meet," he said. "Also, I would say not to let setbacks hinder your enthusiasm. I have tried very hard not to view my mistakes as failures but as a learning point to eventually reach my goal."