21st SW Airman honored by Colorado Springs chamber

Published June 2, 2010
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Senior Airman Olivia Gorman, 21st Contracting Squadron, is a top graduate from college and basic military training.

She has earned numerous medals, including the Air Force Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. She has volunteered to help her peers, the homeless, read at the Pikes Peak Reader program and has assisted with food drives for Care and Share food bank.

On May 15, she was named Outstanding Enlisted Personnel by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Division, who celebrated a dozen enlisted personnel at a luncheon as part of Armed Forces Week. Men and women from the Air Force, Army and Reserves were nominated by their installations.

Airman Gorman, who enlisted in 2007, said her supervisors and commanders have given her the opportunity to shine.

"They put a lot of trust in us," she said. "If it wasn't for them saying, 'you seem like you know what you are doing, we will give you this opportunity,' I wouldn't have these accomplishments."

Airman Gorman, a contracting journeyman, said the timing for her to join the Air Force was right. She had graduated Summa Cum Laude with an associate degree in public relations and was working at an international consulting firm.

"I was struggling with going to work and lining someone else's pockets, thinking 'what good am I doing?' I wanted something bigger," she said.

She chose the Air Force. Airman Gorman finished basic training as an honor graduate. In 2009, she deployed as a contingency contracting officer to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is currently working toward a bachelor's degree in business administration.

"(Airman Gorman's) performance and her professionalism and commitment to what she is doing and her volunteer acts all stood out," said Brian Binn, president of the chamber's military affairs division.

Honoring military personnel is a longstanding chamber program that gives the community an opportunity to honor its servicemembers for their dedication and service, especially enlisted personnel, Mr. Binn said. Award finalists were judged on their achievements within the last five years and were interviewed by the Military Affairs Council before final selection.

"The 12 finalists are extremely talented and professional folks - it's always a difficult process to select a winner," Mr. Binn said.