310th Space Wing wins McNeil Award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley
  • 310th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 310th Space Wing Human Resources Development Council won the Maj. Gen. Joseph A. McNeil Wing Award for HRDC Leadership Excellence during a ceremony on Oct. 27, during the HRDC workshop in Atlanta.

The 310th Space Wing, which celebrated its second year as the only Reserve Space Wing, beat 12 units to earn the top honor in HRDC in the small wing category. The McNeil Award for HRDC Leadership Excellence is awarded bi-annually to a large and small Air Force Reserve Command wing at the workshop.

"I heard many comments that people were amazed how far we have come in two years," said 310th Space Wing Commander, Col. Karen Rizzuti, who accepted the award on behalf of the wing. "We were already doing a lot of the right things for our people to bring it together."

Col. Mark Hustedt, the vice commander of the 310 SW said the competition for the award was stiff at both the numbered air force level and AFRC level, making the achievement all the more impressive for the young space wing.
"For a two-year-old wing, this is a phenomenal accomplishment," said Colonel Hustedt. "The competition was exceptionally tough, and we were going head-to-head with some very mature and hard charging wings."

The award is given based on the merit of the nomination package submitted by individual wings, as well as their HRDC booth at the conference. The displays and awards packages showcased the HRDC accomplishments of competing wings for the awards across the Air Force Reserve Command. The award, covering activity from October 2008 to September 2010, recognized multiple programs and initiatives that brought improvements to both the wing and community.
The 310th's award winning package featured the wing's accomplishments over a two-year period, including leadership involvement in HRDC, identifying and developing solutions to problems, impact on personnel and readiness, community outreach and partner initiatives, and other unique processes in the wing HRDC program.

"Over the past two years, the Airmen of the 310 SW have made some spectacular accomplishments specifically in the areas of recruiting, recognition, outreach, and training," said Colonel Hustedt. "It's not as if you are thinking about winning the McNeil Award as you tackle HRDC objectives, but for the 'Family of Professionals,' taking care of family, embracing our community and uniquely rewarding our Airmen has been at the core of our value system for 17 years."

According to Colonel Rizzuti, the criteria for the McNeil award is the wheelhouse of the 310 SW.
"Taking care of Airmen and their families is a top priority for us that we take very seriously," said Colonel Rizzuti. "We have developed a culture of a family of professionals, which really comes through in our people programs."

The HRDC conference was hosted by AFRC to recognize the best HRDC programs and to make recommendations to the AFRC chief. HRDC programs at the wing level focuses on four important aspects of human resources development; recruiting, retention, mentoring and outreach. The council concentrates on problems and areas that need attention in the wing and then works to solve those problems.