NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas -- In honor of Veterans Day each November, Civilianjobs.com announces its Top 40 Under 40 Military of current or former service members for the year.
This year, Tech. Sgt. Kaisha Gurtner, a 301st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Armament Load Crew Chief, made the list.
“I was speechless,” she said. “I would never in a million years consider me a top 40 candidate in the armed forces, so I am very honored with this accomplishment. This award is a tribute to hard work and everyone who has helped me to become the person I am today.”
Gurtner was nominated for the award by her former employer, which then set the stage for her to compete.
To be eligible for the competition, nominees must be under 40, be currently serving or a military veteran, have or expect an honorable discharge, demonstrate exemplary military service performance and not be a prior recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 Military recognition.
Winners were recognized in the November 2016 edition of the Military Transition News, which is a worldwide military base newspaper, according to Civilianjobs.com’s website.
Gurtner’s advice to Airmen who are also working hard, but haven’t been recognized with an award is simple.
“Awards are nice, but they are not the defining factor of success,” she said. “Set goals, be flexible about the method in which you achieve them, know what you bring to the table.”
Other than performing her duties as a crew chief, Gurtner has found another way to contribute to the 301st AMXS.
“My favorite thing about serving in the Air Force is the opportunity to mentor those that come behind me,” Gurtner said. “If I can impact someone’s life in a positive way, for me, that is the most rewarding part.”