Airman in Korea reveals 'How to Win Airman of the Year'

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. René White
  • 7th Air Force Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  How do you win Airman of the Year? Some may say, "with hard work and determination, you fill the squares." Others would argue, "you become a winner, not because of what
you've done, but because of all the people who've helped you along the way."

Senior Airman Antwon Toson won "Airman of the Year" for both Pacific Command and Air Force Element. At age 23 and assigned to Headquarters Air Component Command in Korea, this means he's being recognized as the number one enlisted airman of all members in the rank of airman basic, airman, airman first class and senior airman in the largest theater in the Air Force.

Some who know him may say, "He just did his job very well." After serving at Minot, N.D., and being selected for a special duty assignment to the Republic of Korea, Airman Toson serves as a Collaborative Staff Technician with the Joint Plans and Coordination team. He delivers centralized desktop computing solutions that leverage the ROK-US alliance's ability to use Air and Space power to protect the Republic of Korea people from enemy attack.

In his award nomination package, his supervisor describes Airman Toson as a "Stellar Airman," "Outstanding performer," and "Future leader" who "conquered every task," and ensured "100 percent connectivity" and "100 percent mission success."

Others who know Airman Toson may say, "It's the people who surrounded him that made him successful. People come and go through our lives, some like wobbling ducks others like soaring eagles. They build us up or tear us down."

Airman Toson chose to fly with the eagles. He surrounds himself with positive people and he gives credit to two of the most important people in his life, his mother and grandmother.

Growing up in Albany, GA with his mother Elaine Reed and little sister Kaleeshia, Airman Toson said he learned early that "life is not easy, you have to work for what you want."

"My mother took her time to provide for my little sister and me," he said, describing how it was watching his single mom raise them while working full time and earning her college degree from Albany State University. "My mother raised a man, and taught me that anything is possible, no matter who you are."

Airman Toson said his grandmother Lillie Spicer, also a single parent, raised 13 children alone. He said his grandmother's positive vibe rubbed off on him.

"She's made a huge accomplishment working every day of her life, still does her job every day and just turned 77. I can't put into words how I feel about my grandmother. A teacher more than anything, she's probably an expert at everything she applies her mind to or orchestrates."

He said military supervisors have also been important to him, "I've had great leadership in every chain of command. I know a lot of airman who do well, but have a poor chain of command and they don't get recognition that they deserve."

During his tour at Minot AFB, Airman Toson's supervisor recognized him as "Communications Information Manager of the Year" and awarded him an achievement medal for saving a woman and her son from a burning car. Airman Toson's heroism would have gone unrecognized, if not for supervisors who cared.

Helping others sparked Airman Toson's desire to help more. From volunteering for the base Honor Guard and picking up trash for Troops to Trash to feeding the elderly through meals on wheels and singing the national anthem for various squadron events and elementary school students. He surrounds himself with positive people who inspire him to do amazing things.

In response to why did Airman Toson win "PACOM Airman of the Year," someone else may say, "Airman Toson didn't win 'PACOM Airman of the Year' for what he did or who passed through his life. Being a winner is mental!"

Being a winner is a mindset. It's about wrapping yourself up in what you do, who you are and the culture and beliefs you choose to make your own. You can be a duck, but if you manage to soar with the eagles you will feel like an eagle and will be treated like an eagle.

Your mindset matters in everything you do from attending boot camp to completing Community College of the Air Force to how Airman Toson protects the ROK-US Alliance here in Korea.

If the warfighting ethos you as an airman possess is a mindset, then the core of who you choose to become transcends time. It is part of your actual spirit. It encapsulates your life and what it means to be an Airman and to be a person. 

Someone may add, "each airman sets the standard. Each affects the others. We're all soaring at different levels, with different goals. Who you are today, sets the course for the future for all of us."

Integrity first, service before self, excellence in all he does, Airman Toson lives and breathes these every day. He's soaring with the eagles, he embraces the positive in his life, and he does the best job he can every day.

Airman Toson said, "if we apply the Air Force core values in our daily lives, it puts us in the place where we possess these values naturally. If we continue to apply our values in the Air Force, it's what makes us a great air force."

Now as a command level winner, Airman Toson competes at the U.S. Air Force
District of Washington-level for nomination as the top "12 Outstanding
Airmen of the Year."

The Air Force Association will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during its Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., later this year. This award recognizes 12 outstanding enlisted personnel for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.

This summer Airman Toson departs Korea for his next assignment with the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance agency in San Antonio, Texas.