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AFSOC Civilian Earns DoD Award

  • Published
  • By Aaron Schoenfeld
  • AFSOC Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The Air Force announced this week that an Air Force Special Operations Command employee at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was selected for the 2007 Outstanding Department of Defense Employee with a Disability Award. 

Mr. Ronald Greenfield, 24th Special Tactics Squadron chief of staff, was selected out of more than 47,000 people with disabilities currently employed by DoD. 

Mr. Greenfield, a Vietnam veteran, was an air defense artillery officer and flew combat helicopter missions for the Army. After losing part of his leg in the service, Mr. Greenfield was medically retired and went on to teach high school, coach football and work in the telecommunications industry. He began working with the Air Force in 2002. 

As chief of staff, Mr. Greenfield's responsibilities include managing the squadron's personnel, overseeing a multimillion dollar budget and conducting all government contracting for the unit. 

In a statement by Col. Earl McCallum, Chief of the Air Force Promotion, Evaluation and Recognition Directorate, Mr. Greenfield is described as an unmatched role model, civil servant and incredible on-target leader. 

Mr. Greenfield has successfully orchestrated several multimillion dollar projects which have improved the readiness, manpower and quality of life for the squadron. His efforts have created an enduring positive influence on the men and women of the unit, according to the statement. 

The Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award is given each year as part of a program to recognize and publicize the contributions and achievements made by physically or mentally disabled federal employees within the Defense Department. 

Mr. Greenfield says there are a few things that may have set him apart from others eligible for the award. 

"Because of the disability, I have a very can-do attitude," he said. "When I was coaching football, and someone would say they couldn't do something, I would get down, show them, and say, 'Yes, you can. If I can do it, you can do it, too.'" 

Mr. Greenfield also adopted amputee twins from Russia and raised them from the age of 4. 

"They're 19 now and they're doing great," said Mr. Greenfield. "They don't let anything stop them. I'm glad I've been able to be a positive role model for them." 

As this year's winner, Mr. Greenfield is authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin and will be honored in December at the annual DoD Disability Award Ceremony in Bethesda, Md. Last year, the event was hosted by Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David Chu. 

"I'm honored and proud to be able to continue to be part of the military and serve the government while we continue to fight the war on terror," Mr. Greenfield said.