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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

            TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT PATRICK J. WOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2012

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual from the 44th Congressional District of California who has 
dedicated his life to defending the people of this country and 
preserving the basic freedoms and liberties that we hold dear. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in thanking Chief Master Sergeant Patrick J. Wood 
for his 26 years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force.
  Chief Wood enlisted in the Air Force on June 26, 1986 after 
graduating from Divine Child High School in Dearborn, Michigan. After 
graduating from basic military training he was assigned to the 29th 
Mobile Aerial Port Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, 
Michigan as a Load Planner. In September of 1990, then-Staff Sergeant 
Wood joined Air Force Reserve Recruiting and was again assigned to 
Selfridge. While there, he was recognized as ``Rookie of the Year'' for 
the Recruiting Service, an honor given to the recruiter who enlists the 
most airmen during their first recruiting year.
  This was the first of many recruiting awards Chief Wood would 
receive. His other accomplishments include numerous ``Two Per Week'' 
awards, ``Top Fifty'' recognition for 6 years, Top Senior Recruiter, 
and five consecutive ``Goal Excellence Awards'' for his operating 
locations. Chief Wood was also a distinguished graduate from the Non-
Commissioned Officer Academy and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer 
Academy. In Recruiting Year 2011, his squadron enlisted more than 2,600 
citizen airmen to become the ``Top Recruiting Squadron'' for that year.
  As a result of his achievements, Chief Wood was eventually chosen to 
be the Superintendent of the largest squadron in Reserve Recruiting. 
During his 23 years in recruiting, Chief Wood was responsible for 
enlisting over 8,000 new citizen airmen. Chief Wood's innovative ideas 
and leadership positions allowed him to influence recruiter training 
practices to ensure that the Air Force Reserve Command met or exceeded 
goals for 12 consecutive years.
  Most recently, Chief Wood has served as the Superintendent, Western 
Recruiting Squadron, Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service, March Air 
Reserve Base, California--the most senior ranking noncommissioned 
officer in the western region. In this role, he has been responsible 
for the oversight of recruiter production as well as the welfare of 
over 100 personnel across 17 states, one U.S. territory, and in three 
countries.
  Chief Wood could not have been such a tremendous leader without the 
love and unfailing support of his wife Major Mia Wood (Retired), and 
his daughters Airman First Class Lauren Wood and Ashley Wood. Helping 
to build the foundation for success early in life were his father 
Alfred, a United States Marine Corps Veteran from the Korean War, and 
his mother Anna.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing our sincere 
appreciation to Chief Master Sergeant Patrick J. Wood for his 
outstanding service to both the United States Air Force and our great 
Nation. Chief Wood will retire from the United States Air Force service 
with more than just his experience, decorated career and remarkable 
accomplishments. He will also have served as a shining example and 
constant reminder of what it means to be an American patriot and 
leader. I am grateful for his service and salute him as he retires from 
the United States Air Force.

                          ____________________
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