First Knight Published April 9, 2009 21st Space Wing Inspector General PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Staff Sergeant Kara Colton was selected for this week's First Knight award. This award is designed to recognize outstanding Airmen each week for the work they do every day. In this photograph, Sergeant Colton is seen assisting the 21st Security Forces Squadron during an exercise by playing the role on of an intoxicated vehicle operator. Name: Kara Colton Unit: 2st Space Wing Inspector General's office Duty Title: Noncommissioned officer in-charge of wing compliance programs Hometown: North Aurora, Illinois Time in Service: 6 Years Hobbies: Playing the Guitar Favorite Music: Rock Last good book read: "Verbal Judo, The Gentle Art of Persuasion" by George Thompson and Jerry B. Jenkins How has joining the Air Force impacted your life? Since joining, my life has been in overdrive. I have lived in three states and in a different country all within 4 years. I have mastered two weapon systems as a space operator and was in charge of my own Standardization and Evaluation shop. I have managed a wing-level program while at the same time becoming a compliance inspector. I have accomplished more in the Air Force then I ever thought possible and the challenges I have encountered have made me a stronger person. If you were Chief of Staff of the Air Force for one day, how would you change the Air Force? I would eliminate all unnecessary additional duties and training that distract Airmen from focusing on the mission What do you like most about being an Airman? I know exactly what I am going to wear to work every day Favorite Quote: "Inspectors general as a breed are about as welcome as the IRS guy at tax time...if they want to be popular and well liked they should do something more socially acceptable, like be an executioner." (Unnamed Pentagon Official, published in the Washington Post, Oct 5, 1992) Why selected: "SSgt Colton was central to preparing the 21st Space Wing for the 2009 operational readiness inspection and compliance inspection as the wing's self inspection program manager. During her tenure in the IG, she led two wing-wide, semi-annual SIP reviews for the wing commander and initiated monthly SIP meetings with the vice commander to maintain a focus on fixing discrepancies. In addition to her exemplary job dedication, SSgt Colton is devoted to her education actively pursuing an engineering degree, completing Calculus 1, 2 and C++ programming over the last year achieving a 4.0 GPA! " - Lt Col Rob Widmann, 21 SW Inspector General.