910th Airman Receives Distinguished Award Published Jan. 8, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Valerie Smock 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Not every service member can list a prestigious military achievement on their resume; however, an Airman from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station can proudly mount this award on his wall. Newly promoted Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Greg Hriczo, military pay supervisor with 910th Airlift Wing Financial Management, received the distinguished graduate award after completing Airman Leadership School (ALS) Sept. 15, 2011 at The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center. This award is presented to students in the top ten percent of the class and is based on objective and performance evaluations, demonstrated leadership and performance as a team player. There were 52 students in the program and 13 in Hriczo's individual class. He finished first in his class based exams and presentations among other factors. "It's an honor," said Hriczo. "Working hard pays off and it's always nice to get personal recognition." ALS is part of all Airmen's professional military education. The six-week course is required for an Airman to be promoted to staff sergeant and can be completed in correspondence or in residence at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Tennessee. ALS prepares Airmen to become NCOs by teaching students supervision responsibility, interpersonal communication, professional conduct, subordinate counseling and how to prepare an Enlisted Performance Report. Much of the course is hands-on experience. Hriczo said he recommends going in residence versus completing the program at home station through the Career Development Courses. "It's a great experience," said Hriczo. "I think I'm much better prepared than if I had just taken the course through the books." Hriczo has already put his training to use since his return from school. During his first weekend back, he conducted initial feedback sessions with his subordinates. "The whole professionalism thing - it's always something you'll use," said Hriczo. "The training we received is something you'll use on a daily basis." That training is not going unnoticed. Hriczo's supervisor expressed delight with his work in the finance office. "He is a very hard worker," said Maj. Gerald Narigon II, 910th AW/FM officer in charge. "He is one of the most intelligent Airmen I've ever worked with. He has become a strong NCO in just two months." Narigon said Hriczo is one of many Airmen in the finance office continually striving for excellence. "It's a point of pride to have an Airman in my office who received distinguished honor graduate award," he said. "I like to see my Airmen doing well. I have a good, solid core of Airmen that are really doing excellent." It's the combination of hard work and excellence that, when added together, equal a distinguished graduate ready for whatever comes his way.