NCO award winner leads by example

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • 96 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  What does lead by example mean? For one non-commissioned officer, it means not to expect anyone under your command to do anything that you aren't willing or capable of doing yourself.

Tech. Sgt. Edwin Pratt, 46th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Operations NCOIC, was recently recognized Airfield Management NCO of the Year.

"Part of our core values is 'Excellence in All We Do' - so strive for excellence in everything," said Sergeant Pratt. "I believe that if you always give it your best then good things will happen for you."

As an airfield management supervisor, Sergeant Pratt is responsible for providing a safe, efficient and effective airfield environment for aircraft operations. He accomplishes this by conducting airfield inspections and checking to ensure that all required airfield signs, markings, lighting and aircraft arresting systems are available and properly installed according to the appropriate airfield planning and design criteria, as well as, correcting any discrepancies and/or hazards that are identified.

Also responsible for the review of airfield construction and repair project priorities for impact to airfield operations, Sergeant Pratt also coordinates airfield construction plans and monitors airfield construction, repair and maintenance activities.

The sergeant's list of accomplishments ranges from directing a $17.3 million dollar airfield repair campaign to assisting with an airfield waiver review composed of 337 existing items which was reduced by 42 percent to 158.

With so many responsibilities and accomplishments himself, Sergeant Pratt stresses to young Airman to not be afraid to take on projects or tasks; regardless if they are command, wing, group or squadron level projects.

"This is how you gain experience and enhance your leadership and supervisory skills," said Sergeant Pratt. "We have to be ready, able and qualified to step in at any given moment and take control of any situation."

"I am a firm believer that we need to step up and step out. By this I mean that we as Airmen can't wait around to be told what to do or wait for other individuals to do them," he said.

Sergeant Pratt is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his third time deploying in five years. This time he volunteered to take the place of a co-worker who had her first child in May 2007.

"I believe being there for your child's first Christmas or birthday is something that all parents look forward to. If she would have deployed, she would have missed both of those special occasions," said Sergeant Pratt. "Leaders have the important obligation to ensure that they are putting people first, while ensuring that they are meeting the needs/demands of the Air Force. I've always believed in taking care of people. That's how my supervisor's mentored me to think, and I try to pass that down to anyone that I have the opportunity to meet."

As a child, the sergeant's parents instilled him with the values and motivation to excel at a young age. Those life lessons learned early on carried over to his career in the Air Force.

"My mother and father raised me to always do my best and to reach for the stars," he said. "I believe anything is possible if you are willing to work for it."

His positive attitude affects his work environment as well as anyone he interacts with.

"If I could I would clone 10 thousand just like him," said Timothy Gunnison 46th OSS Chief Airfield Manager. "If the weather channel says there is a 50 percent chance of rain, it only means there is a 50 percent chance of sunshine with Sergeant Pratt."

The sergeant goes on to stress the importance of setting goals so that Airmen have something to aim for. However, he is also adamant that they keep their focus on the here and now, and not get caught up wanting to be at the top of the rank structure.

"Whatever your rank is, concentrate on being the best at that rank, at that particular time," he said. "If you do that, then you will have the opportunity to be a chief master sergeant or a general. Just concentrate on being the best Airman that you can be, at your particular rank and everything else will fall into place and you'll accomplish you goals."