Peterson Airman grabs top honors at Senior NCO Academy Published Aug. 18, 2009 By Capt. William Burich 16th Space Control Squadron PETERSON AR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Master Sgt. Joseph Stratil, 16th Space Control Squadron superintendent, earned top honors at the Senior Noncommissioned Officer's Academy when he was selected at the class's John L. Levitow Award Winner. Sergeant Stratil was chosen as number one of nearly 350 senior noncommissioned officers, a group that included NCOs from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and five international NCOs from the Philippines, Switzerland, Croatia, Serbia and Lithuania. "Being selected as the John L. Levitow Award recipient was a very humbling," said Sergeant Stratil. "I am extremely fortunate to be a part of such an outstanding group of senior noncommissioned officers from multiple services and countries." In addition to winning the Levitow Award, Sergeant Stratil was unanimously voted by his entire flight for the academy's peer-selected Commandant's Award. Lt. Col. Paul Tombarge, 16th SPCS commander, attended Sergeant Stratil's graduation ceremony. "It was an honor and privilege to attend the ceremony and see Joe be recognized for his efforts, but I was especially proud when I saw how excited the rest of his flight was when they announced 'Master Sgt. Stratil' as the Levitow Award Winner," said Colonel Tombarge. "He truly left his mark at the school and on his fellow students." Sergeant Stratil said the most gratifying aspect of attending the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy was working with his flight to renovate a Montgomery, Ala., first grade classroom. "The most rewarding part of this project was giving something back to the local community and making a positive impact on the lives of the first grade children," Sergeant Stratil said. According to Sergeant Stratil, attending the Senior NCO Academy was more rewarding than winning any award. "So many great leaders have passed through this school and it is a true honor to have been given the opportunity to follow in their footsteps," he said. Sergeant Stratil was also recognized as his class' Distinguished Graduate.