Career Adviser of the Year finds she won award on AF Link

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kasey Zickmund
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Senior Master Sgt. Yvonne Miller, 18th Medical Support Squadron superintendent, recently found out by coincidence she won an Air Force-level award with the help of the Air Force Link Web site. 

While at home, she went online to the site and saw the headline "Air Force announces the Mission Support Award winners for 2006." Sergeant Miller looked through the list and found she had been named the Career Adviser of the Year for 2006. When she went to work she had received more than 30 e-mails of congratulations from previous commanders and friends. 

"Honestly, I didn't think I would win it because I've seen phenomenal career advisers," she said. 

Sergeant Miller received the award for her work as a career adviser while assigned to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. 

"As a career adviser you have to get your name out there and let the people know you are there to help them," said Sergeant Miller. "The big reason why I think that I won is because I would not turn anyone away no matter if they were reserve component, civilians or spouses. I would get asked a lot of questions and some of them were weird, but if I didn't know the answers I would always find out." 

She went to commander's calls, guard mounts and started getting in the base newspaper to let people know she was there to help them decide what to do with their careers. 

She also taught professional development courses for NCOs and senior NCOs, and was in charge of the First Term Airman's Center. 

"I really enjoyed working at FTAC because I had the chance to shape young Airmen and let them know more about the benefits the Air Force has to offer," said the veteran of 21 years. 

Sergeant Miller said what motivates her is getting e-mails or visits from the people she helped five, 10 or even 15 years ago asking for assistance because she was such a great help the first time. 

For those wanting to follow in her footsteps, she said, "Go above and beyond the standards. I would not have gotten here if it wasn't for the people around me because no one can do it alone."