Warrior of the Week: Senior Airman Ashley Sibby

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Military commanders hold official meetings, sign countless performance reports and present various awards daily throughout the Air Force.

However, none of those tasks would be possible without the effort of the enlisted Airmen who work behind the scene, including Senior Airman Ashley Sibby - the newest Warrior of the Week at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.

"She is one of the hardest workers I've ever seen," said Master Sgt. Chasity Best, 319th Mission Support Group headquarters executive assistant, about Sibby, a knowledge operations manager.

Airman Sibby said she just tries to make sure "things are ready to go" whether it's setting up slide presentations and documents so meetings with senior leadership go smoothly as possible, or making sure the necessary citations accompany an award for a deserving fellow Airman.

"I help process somewhere between 50 to 75 awards per month, but although I like reading about some of the great things Airmen have done to receive an award, the thing I like the most about my job is working directly for senior leadership," said Sibby. "Their guidance is key to my success and I value that."

It appears Sibby has found value in such guidance in less than three years of military service. The 24-year-old Detroit native was an Honor Graduate at Basic Military Training, was named Airman of the Quarter in November 2010 and in September 2011 became a recipient of the Diamond Sharp Award - a monthly program supported by the Grand Forks AFB First Sergeant Council to recognize the outstanding work and dedication of the base's enlisted Airmen.

"Airman Sibby epitomizes our Air Force core value of service before self with her volunteerism, and she frequently looks for opportunities to develop and contribute in ways on and outside of the base community," said Sergeant Best. "I think if she doesn't waver from the path she is on right now, she will go as far as she wants to and accomplish great things."

Sibby said she hopes her path will lead to three things, the first of which deals with this article itself.

"I want to share the news with my family about me being named Warrior of the Week, especially with my husband (Senior Airman Marvin Lee Carter, Jr. from the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron) who is currently deployed, but I'm waiting until this article comes out," said Sibby with a big smile.

Sibby said she also hopes her path will lead her down South, but not necessarily for a break from the North Dakota weather.

"She has great passion for the game of basketball and I know she is excited about the opportunity to try out for the Air Force team," said Best. Sibby is scheduled to travel to Tyndall AFB, Fla., in March to try out for a spot on the Air Force women's basketball team.

"I think it'd be pretty cool ... if I could make the women's team and help the Air Force win the (2012) Armed Forces Basketball Championship. The tournament is taking place in April and it's in Las Vegas," said Sibby who played shooting guard for Romulus High School in Detroit.

The third thing her Sibby hopes her ambitious path leads her to another stripe on her sleeves.

"As of now I'm studying for staff with hopes of making it my first time," said Sibby, while her supervisor continued to show more confidence for the aspiring Airman.

"Airman Sibby doesn't know what it is to fail," Best said. "In fact, I would be surprised if she didn't make it the first time."