News

436th CS personnel nominated for DoD CIO awards

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Being recognized for your hard work is an enjoyable experience. Having that recognition come from the upper echelon is even better.

Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Marcolini, 436th Communications Squadron network infrastructure NCOIC and the 436th CS plans and programs team were selected by Air Mobility Command to compete for the 2013 Department of Defense Chief Information Officer awards.

These annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in Information Management, Information Technology and Information Assurance in the DoD. The nominees were evaluated based on their outstanding achievement in one or more of the following six critical areas: capital planning and investment control, cyber security, enterprise architecture, enterprise services, IT cyber security workforce, and IT efficiencies.

"I was surprised," Marcolini said when he heard he was an AMC nominee. "It felt gratifying not only for myself, but for my entire shop. We hardly get recognized unless there is something that doesn't work or isn't working properly. So, to be recognized for something like this is humbling."

For Marcolini, whose job includes making sure everyone's e-mail and network is working properly and efficiently, most of his recognition comes when base personnel can't get into their e-mail account or can't use their computers. He said being in charge of the network for the entire base can be a pressure-filled job.

"It's a pretty stressful job," Marcolini said. "I have no network background, so this has been a huge learning experience for me. In the past I dealt mainly with audiovisual equipment and alarm systems. Being here and being in this shop the last two years has been very rewarding."

Maj. Steven Pena, 436th CS commander, said Marcolini's commitment and adherence to standards were the reasons for his success and recognition.

"I always try to reiterate to my squadron that adherence to the Air Force Core Values leads to success," Pena said. "Tech. Sgt. Marcolini has truly lived up to the level of excellence that the Air Force demands of him. He's that quiet, professional leader that knows his job and can influence his crew to do their part to accomplish the mission."

Another group whose work is seldom recognized is the 436th CS plans and programs team. Chief Master Sgt. Kirk Harris, 436th CS superintendent said the main reason for the team's success was its ability to get Team Dover to change the way new IT products are purchased.

"The plans and programs team is ensuring acquisition excellence," Harris said. "The days of just spending money on things without thinking about or planning ahead are over. They are making each customer think about system development life-cycle before they will approve any project. This is the number 1 reason they are representing AMC."

Mr. Robert Baird, 436th CS cyberspace strategic program manager, said the team being recognized for its efforts is very rewarding.

"It always feels good to be recognized," Baird said. "To know, that out of the 11 other AMC bases we're the best team, that is special. This is absolutely the best team to work with. We have a great core of individuals who know how to get things done. They say you can't pick your family. But they all have come in here and gelled like a family."

Harris said both Marcolini and the plans and programs team prove an old adage that applies to all maintainers.

"They are the silent warriors," Harris said. "When nobody knows who you are or what you do then you know you've done your job well. They work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly."