NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas -- The 2016 Major General Alfred K. Flowers Air Force Reserve Command Comptroller Organization of the Year award recognizes the best finance office within the command for their accomplishments throughout the year.
The 301st Finance Office, a team of more than 30 civilians and Airmen, is the award recipient for the period of Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016.
The 301st Financial Management Comptroller, Mr. William “Matt” Miller, was caught by surprise when his office was selected for the 2016 award.
“Col Jones called me in for what sounded like a serious meeting and then congratulated me,” he said. “It was a great surprise. Soon after that, congratulations flooded in from across the command. It was a great honor to be able to announce it to our folks.”
To be competitive for the award, the finance office submitted a package outlining accomplishments for the year. These include processing the wing’s military pay documents, travel vouchers and budgets. They also supported deployments, exercises and two Yellow Ribbon Events.
“It’s a validation of the hard work we put in every day,” said Miller. “FM is a mostly thankless job, so it's refreshing to be recognized and thanked for our dedication to our customers. We often deal with difficult situations, both technically and emotionally, and frequently deliver tough news. That negativity can take a toll on morale, so it was great to receive the good news and feel the support.”
According to Miller, earning the award was a team effort between reservists and civilians within the office.
“Our reservists are up against a real challenge in keeping up with all the regulation and system changes the financial management career field presents, in addition to maintaining their civilian jobs and families, but they are proving it can be done...and at an extremely high level.”
Master Sgt. Tia Kancilia, a 301st FM budget analyst and wing resource advisor, shares how much civilians and reservists rely on each other to get the job done.
“The civilians are the subject matter experts,” she said. “So they are the ones we rely on a lot to help out and we want them to rely on us, as well. With that kind of support we’re able to volunteer to help other organizations on base and in the community. I believe that’s one of the reasons we received the award.”
The unit was also recognized as the Financial Services Office of the Year and the senior-noncommissioned officer for 2016 is also from the FM office. In addition, several finance members were recognized throughout the year on an individual basis on various levels. AFRC level award recipients will go on to compete at the Air Force level.
“It makes me proud and humbled at the same time,” Miller said. “We see a lot of ups and downs within the financial world and angry customers, so when we can make them happy, it brings a sense of pride.”