Reservists win state-level award

Published March 29, 2013
By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
442nd Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Two Reserve officers from the 442nd Fighter Wing here recently won the Reserve Officers of America, Department of Missouri, 2012 Officer of the Year award.

Maj. Todd Riddle, 442nd FW Combat Readiness Officer, won the Field-Grade Officer of the Year award, and Capt. James Chevalier, 442nd Maintenance Squadron operations officer, won the Company-Grade Officer of the Year Award.

"It's an honor to receive this," Chevalier said. "Because I know there are a lot of company-grade officers in the wing and in the state of Missouri who have done some amazing things."

Riddle agreed it was an honor to be selected - but an award like that is a total-force effort.

"The 442FW has accomplished some exceptional things in the last year, as other wing awards reflect," Riddle said. "It was kind of the ROA to consider and recognize a few of us individually."

Chevalier said he could not have won this award without the support of the team at the MXS.

"Every achievement that was listed in my award could not have happened without the support, teamwork and dedication of all those with whom I work," he said. "It had very little to do with me."

While the ROA is geared is designed for officers, it's role is to benefit all military members - both enlisted and officer.

"The ROA is an awesome organization," he said. "It doesn't just serve officers by any means - it takes the input of officers who have served, or are serving, and it really focuses on keeping our Reserve forces robust."

Riddle said the ROA is very valuable to the Reserve.

"It has been a great advocate for the A-10 and the 442nd FW," he said. "They have had a key role in a number of legislative actions to benefit reservists."

Any officer, guard or Reserve, who wants to learn more about the ROA, can contact Capt. Susan Black at susan.black@us.army.mil or go to http://www.roa.org/site/Clubs?club_id=1034&pg=main.