Air University students receive SecAF Leadership Awards

Acting Undersecretary of the Air Force Lisa Disbrow, center, presented the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award to two current and two former Air University students during a ceremony at Air War College, May 5, 2015. Receiving the awards were (left to right) Col. Wayne Straw, current AWC student; Marine Corps Master Sgt. Joseph Banas, former Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy student (Master Sgt. Jennifer Johnson from the Academy accepted the award on his behalf); Maj. Avery Schutt, current student at Air Command and Staff College; and Capt. Roni Yadlin, former Squadron Officer School student (Lt. Col. Joseph Laws, commander 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., accepted the award on her behalf). The annual award recognizes exceptional performance by a student attending one of Air University’s professional military education schools. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bud Hancock/cleared)

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Air University students receive SecAF Leadership Awards

Published May 7, 2015
By Phil Berube
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The acting undersecretary of the Air Force recognized the leadership qualities of three Airmen and one Marine during a ceremony May 5 at Air War College here.

The Honorable Lisa Disbrow presented each current and former Air University student with a Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award.

The annual award recognizes exceptional performance by a student attending one of Air University's professional military education schools. The award is presented during AWC's capstone event, National Security Forum.

Award recipients were Marine Corps Master Sgt. Joseph Banas; Col. Wayne Straw; Maj. Avery Schutt; and Capt. Roni Yadlin.

Banas
Banas graduated from the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy in February 2015. The Academy recognized the Marine as being the "most outstanding graduate" of his class and the "most outstanding student" among the 1,410 senior NCOs who have attended the Academy since April 2014, citing his "professionalism, integrity and exceptional ability" to lead his fellow students.

"I am extremely humbled and honored to be selected for this prestigious award," said Banas in an email interview. "I started the AFSNCOA trying to be an ambassador for the United States Marine Corps in the best possible way I could. Fortunately for me, I was teamed up with the finest 11 men and woman in the class, not to mention the best instructor. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I could not have done it without the rest of the 'Fireteam' (Flight 15). In short, I did all that I could to help motivate and bring forth the best in my team, but they also did the same for me."

Straw
Unanimously elected by his peers to serve as the current student class president for AWC, Straw led 245 students through a "demanding schedule of academic, athletic, community service and social events." Among his accomplishments as a student leader, the colonel "solidly backed" his international officer classmates in their bid to execute the first-ever combined International Culture Festival with Air Command and Staff College. The colonel also led the Board of Governors to ensure timely crossflow of information and ideas among students, student leadership, faculty and staff.

"It is an honor to be recognized, but the credit must be shared with the student Board of Governors, the student seminar leaders and the entire student body," said Straw. "Whenever something needed to be done, someone stepped up to the task, and we worked as a team the entire year. Collaborating with so many great officers and civilians was a pleasure, and they made my role as the class president very enjoyable."

Schutt
As the class academic officer for the 510 students currently at Air Command and Staff College, Schutt developed and all-source website for students to "share study guides, lesson notes and ideas across 40 seminars," which enhanced collaboration among students.

"It is an absolute honor to receive the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award," said Schutt. "The school's constant dedication to improve students' educational experiences enabled me to earn this award as the class academic officer. The honor is not just bestowed on me, but on the dedicated team of officers that worked to make this academic year a success. I am truly grateful for the support from the students, faculty, staff, and most importantly, my family, who made this happen."

Yadlin
Described as a "talented motivator and leader," Yadlin is cited by Squadron Officer School as its "number one" graduate among 3,539 for 2014 for her "exceptional initiative, enthusiasm and leadership qualities" while a student. The captain attended SOS from August to October 2014. She was an SOS think tank participant and an "exemplary role model in several challenging curriculum and leadership situations ... ."

"I was incredibly honored and deeply humbled to learn I would be receiving the SecAF Leadership Award for SOS," said Yadlin in an email interview. "I was constantly blown away by the caliber of officers I encountered at SOS and am blessed to be able to represent them in this way. I'm appreciative of all the mentors and staff at SOS, Colonel (Gerald) Goodfellow (commander Squadron Officer College) and Lieutenant Colonel (Jeffrey) Donnithorne (Center for Strategy and Technology) in particular, for making the experience such a meaningful and empowering one."