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AETC sergeant captures OAY award

  • Published
  • By Brittany K. Cass
  • AETC public affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Hard work, determination and balance- these seem to be the key ingredients and what it takes to make an Outstanding Airman of the Year.

The 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year selection recognized Airmen and their Air Force career accomplishments. The Air Force selected 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, one who is from Air Education and Training Command - Senior Master Sgt. Kathleen M. McCool, Air Force Recruiting Service here.

The journey for McCool began 16 years ago when she turned down a full ride scholarship and enlisted in the Air Force. Her unique military background began with her grandfather and followed with her father, aunt, uncle, husband, sister, brother-in-law and best friend all serving in the Air Force.

"Having a family support system that fully understands the daily stressors and rewards of military service provides me the foundation to exceed in my responsibilities," said McCool. "I am so blessed to have a husband who completely believes in me and works with me to achieve success."

McCool has been successful in not only her career but her family as well. McCool and her husband have four sons; they all have an appreciation for what the Air Force provides them. When asked to describe how McCool balances her family, her husband Master Sgt. Christopher McCool said, "We are an Air Force Family. Our children fully understand our role as Airmen and support what we do."

"I have been able to serve the Air Force in two special duties, Military Training Instructor and Recruiting," said McCool.

"My wife's ability to take every challenge thrown her way head-on and run from none is why she has been able to excel in both," said her husband, "We are extremely proud of her."

Being selected as OAY is more than an award "it is a responsibility to represent all the recruiters that work hard to help accomplish the mission of bringing the best of the best into the Air Force," said McCool.

"You can tell her heart is right where the Air Force wants it. She is taking care of her Airmen and her family," said Air Education and Training Command's Command Chief Master Sgt. James Cody.

"McCool's ability to successfully balance her career and family serves as a model for every military family," said Cody.

The Air Force has played a huge role in how McCool and her husband have raised their family. When asked to fill out a questionnaire for his first grade project, her 7-year-old son, Gage, had to fill in the blank, "My mom can do a lot of things but she is best at ____," his response was: the Air Force.

McCool represents the 260,000 enlisted men and women in the Air Force. Her passion for both her job and her family is described by her husband through a single statement in the Military Training Instructor code. "I am pledged to strive for perfection and to reject mediocrity both in my own personal behavior and in the performance of those for whom I am responsible..."

McCool's husband said his wife has shown tremendous achievement and will continue to excel as a wife, mother, Airman and representative of the United States Air Force.