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# Air National Guard's Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Joseph Ashwood

By Senior Airman John HillierAir National Guard Readiness Center

(This week, we'll be posting one feature each day on the 2014 Outstanding Airman of the Year winners who will be honored next week during the Air National Guard's Focus on the Force Week)

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Leaving behind a legacy of service for thenext generation is what drives Master Sgt. Joseph G. Ashwood, the Air NationalGuard Outstanding Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year. 

Master Sgt. Ashwood, assigned to the 147th Reconnaissance Wing atEllington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas was selected for his leadership andcommitment to training his wingmen to accomplish their missions. 

Ashwood enlisted in the Air Force as a fuel systems apprentice at theage of 17, taking up a family tradition of military service. His grandfatherfought in World War II, and his father and several uncles served in Vietnam. After sevenyears of active-duty service, he joined the Texas Air National Guard in 2003. 

“I don’t like to be in the spotlight,” said Ashwood. “When people tellme how much they appreciate my service, it’s a little overwhelming for me.Being named an Outstanding Airman of the Year is a big honor for me, althoughI’d like to be at work doing my job, I realize that I have a story that couldresonate with others who decide they want to serve their country.” 

A deployment to Slovakia showed Ashwood how fortunate he is to be anAmerican, and how powerful an individual Airman can be. 

“We were the first Air Force unit to deploy to Slovakia and use theirranges,” said Ashwood. “The conditions they were dealing with because of thecountry’s economic situation left them without up-to-date equipment, and theyweren’t necessarily able to fly the aircraft they had. But they still were veryenthusiastic about their service. They still were willing to do everything theycould to serve their country. The individual Airman’s attitude plays a hugepart of what we’re able to do as an Air Force. But you decide howenthusiastically you’re going to serve your country.” 

Ashwood does not have to look far to find motivation to excel. 

“What really inspires me is my wife and kids,” Ashwood said. “EverythingI do is with them in mind. At the most basic level, I want to make sure I do somethingmy kids will be proud of...I want to be sure to show a good example of how to liveyour life and be a good person.” 

After finishing his bachelor’s degree, Ashwood began home brewing beeras a way to unwind from work and find quiet personal time. 

“I started [home brewing] to have a nice way to decompress,” saidAshwood. “Another person at work did it, and I felt I could jump into iteasily. It provides me with a level of accomplishment – I can say ‘I madethis.’ It’s been a good outlet for me.” 

Whether it’s coordinating troop-in-contact events, training the nextgeneration of airmen or passing along life lessons to his children, Ashwood’sdrive to succeed contributed to his selection as ANG Outstanding Senior NCO ofthe Year. 

“I want to be successful at whatever I do,” he said. “I want to be agood role model to my kids, a good husband to my wife. Whatever it is I do, Ijust want to do it to the fullest.”

 

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