Recruiting NCO earns AETC award Published July 27, 2009 By Erin Madigan Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A master sergeant assigned to the 362nd Recruiting Squadron was recently named the Air Education and Training Command's winner of the National Latina Symposium Distinguished Service Award. Master Sergeant Elva Shipp, a recruiting flight chief in Mesa, Calif., earned the award for her support of the war on terrorism, demonstrated performance and commitment to the service's core values. Admittedly surprised at her win, Sergeant Shipp attributes much of her success to mutual trust. "Trust the people you work with and for, and in return they have to trust you to make the right decisions," she said. Performance contributing to her award win included a 99.9 percent efficiency rate on more than 3,200 classification interviews, ensuring that both the Air Force and applicants' needs were effectively met. "The consequences of errors affects trainees," she said, "and we need to make sure they are qualified for this job" in order to meet Air Force standards and procedures. The Deming, N.M., native also identified 23 trainees not qualified for their Air Force jobs, enabling early intervention and reclassification while saving more than $260,000 for the Air Force. Sergeant Shipp also developed a spreadsheet to track trainee progress, maintaining 100 percent accountability while reducing backlogs in flight physicals. Sergeant Shipp's leadership and management performance were recognized in 2007 as the 362nd RCS Senior NCO of the Year. Sergeant Shipp's involvement in the community during her personal time has also been recognized, leading to the award of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal in 2008. From volunteering weekly at the Big Country Elementary School as a mentor to working at the Battered Women and Children's Shelter, she makes it a priority to give back to her community. Sergeant Shipp also credits her commander, Lt. Col. David Bunz, for her success. "He's an approachable, down to earth leader who cares about the people in his squadron," she said. "He relates to people well, and people that work for him appreciate that." Sergeant Shipp will represent AETC at the Air Force level for the award.