JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS - Capt. Delfayeo Matthews is the recipient of the Air Force-level 2024 Outstanding Readiness Individual of the Year award for staff officers.
Matthews, the Air and Ground Transportation Branch Chief for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center A3 Operations directorate is one of eleven Outstanding Logistics Readiness Individuals of the Year, which include military and civilian personnel from the Department of the Air Force.
He shares his perspective on the award and the dedication that led to this prestigious recognition.
What are your primary duties?
I provide daily intermediate-level oversight, virtual evaluations, subject matter expertise and policy interpretation of Air and Ground Transportation processes for 83 Air and Space Force Commanders and their Deployment & Distribution teams.
How does this award reflect your and your unit’s support to AFIMSC’s strategic priorities?
It shows that we play a vital role in arming installations with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed, actionable decisions designed to advance National Security objectives, enable mission success, and enhance warfighter readiness for present and future threats.
What do you love about your job?
I love that I can consistently learn from the officers, SNCO’s and civilian employees that I work with every day which will be helpful for me when I return to a base level job. Additionally, I love that my team assists fellow logisticians at installations be successful in achieving their missions and goals.
The award means a lot to me, and I am very appreciative, but I do not get this award without all the hard work of my team. Shoutout to A34!
As an award winner, what advice can you offer others?
Always do the right thing even if the decision is unpopular and to rely on the inputs of the logistics professionals on your team. Nobody achieves anything by themselves so being able to collaborate with others to determine the right course of action will prove to be invaluable.