Grand Forks AFB sergeant named among best Security Forces NCOs by AMC for 2013

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A Warrior of the North was recently recognized as one the best security forces members in the Air Force.

Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Giles, a training instructor with the 319th Security Forces Squadron here, was selected as the recipient for Air Mobility Command's Outstanding Support Staff NCO Award for 2013.

The AMC Outstanding Support Staff NCO Award recognizes the exceptional work and contributions to the security forces career field of an enlisted service member in the ranks of staff sergeant or technical sergeant during the 12-month period from Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013.

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, delivered the good news during a state of the base breakfast held at the nearby city of Grand Forks, N.D.

"I felt that having the wing commander make the announcement at the breakfast was a great opportunity to show the Grand Forks community that we are doing great things here at Grand Forks Air Force Base," said Giles. "My motto is, 'Be the change you want to see' so when I found out, I felt like I was helping set the example for other Airmen to follow."

Several notable accomplishments and actions led to Giles' nomination by the major command, the majority of which took place while performing his weekly duties.

During 2013 Giles led three instructors as the program manager for his unit's CPR and Automated External Defibrillator program. His training efforts helped 220 security forces members learn the critical skills needed to be better prepared to save lives.

His managerial skills proved valuable once again while in charge of his unit's Airfield Driving Program. The six-year Air Force veteran trained 197 people on airfield operations and amassed more than 2,700 hours with zero discrepancies. It was an accomplishment Maj. Jeffrey Becker, 319th SFS commander simply described as, "outstanding," perhaps due to the safety-conscious philosophy of the Air Force.

Giles also authored the local Air Force Instruction 31-117 test on the Use of Force. He certified 260 team members on new requirements nullifying potential excessive force situations.

In addition to his work accomplishments, Giles also found success during his time away from work.

He earned 18 college credits in 2013 resulting in his second bachelor's degree in criminal Justice from Ashford University and helped mentor troubled teens by volunteering 76 hours for the YMCA of Grand Forks, N.D.'s, Big Brother program.

"Kids really look up to adults and mimic everything we do," said Giles, a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal recipient.

The philanthropic NCO said, "I don't do this for the recognition." However, he did reiterate his motto saying he just believes that people need to be the positive change they wish to see in the next generation.