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802nd SFS instructor wins Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Mike Joseph
  • 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When a civilian combat training instructor in the 802nd Security Forces Squadron learned he'd won an Air Force-level award, it took a while to grasp the magnitude of the honor.

"It didn't really sink in until I got home (that day); then I realized the accomplishment," said Christopher Patten, recently named the Air Force's outstanding civilian employee in Security Forces. It was the second time in three years someone from the squadron has won the award.

"I knew it was big, but I didn't know how big it was until the commander reiterated, 'This is Air Force level - this is huge,'" he said. "I told (my co-workers) the same day, 'It's not me who won this award; it's pretty much the whole training staff.'

"My name is on the plaque and the award, but we all won it; it's not just me in there. It's non-stop. We're always busy and everybody lends a hand. Everybody does their part."

Mr. Patten has multiple responsibilities in the squadron. After serving 10 years on active duty in Security Forces, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 2008 and separated to become a civilian SFS instructor.

His duties include training Phase 1 Security Forces Airmen at Lackland on base policies, supervising the squadron's ready augmentee program for force protection conditions (FPCON) Charlie or Delta, and the safety program.

The 802nd SFS training staff has developed several response training programs, including active shooter, which became Air Force policy.

But where Mr. Patten and the squadron's training section stand out in the eyes of their commander is preparing Security Forces Airmen for deployment.

"We deploy 100 defenders from the squadron every six months," said Lt. Col. Edward Schneider, 802nd SFS commander. "He (and the training section) has the responsibility to make sure those defenders are ready."

Mr. Patten, who deployed twice on active duty, said the pre-deployment training team goes through the process with the Airmen to ensure mission readiness.

"My joy is when they come back and say because of (our preparation), they succeeded," he said. "We change our training (to meet) their mission requirements. I get my joy out of training people."

Colonel Schneider said the positive feedback from the squadron's returning deployers confirmed the pre-deployment training effectiveness.

"I (can) look parents in the eye and say, 'This Airman is the best trained, best equipped and best supervised of anybody in the world when they deploy,'" Colonel Schneider said. "I wish the world could see my defenders through my eyes when they come back. They were in a tough situation and did great. They protected their buddies, relied on their training and did well."

Mr. Patten's off-duty activities are almost another full-time job. The former Airman serves in the Reserve's Individual Mobilization Augmentee program; is the NCOIC for the Lackland Emergency Services Team, a multiple agency volunteer crisis response unit; and as a Bexar County sheriff's office volunteer reserve officer, averaging 30 hours a month on weekends serving civilian warrants.

He completed a master's degree in education last year, achieving a 4.0 grade point average, to augment his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He earned his bachelor's while on active duty at Lackland by working nights and attending school during the day.

"I had a lot of support, especially from my wife," Mr. Patten said about the degrees. "I also had a lot of good mentors in the military. I'm thankful; without the military, I wouldn't have my education.

"Now my down time is spent with my two little girls and helping my wife go through school."