JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The Air Reserve Component encompassing both guard and reserve units is honoring Senior Master Sgt. John Besselman for being the top Force Support Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of 2015.
Besselman, 446th Force Support Squadron education and training superintendent, received the award in July.
Among Besselman’s most impressive accomplishments was spearheading the first ever Unit Training Assembly test sessions for College Level Examination Program and the Dantes Subject Standard Test exams, making it vastly more convenient for traditional reservists to test toward their Community College of the Air Force degrees.
"He is the epitome of what an outstanding, well-rounded Senior NCO [non-commissioned officer] should be,” said Maj. Lonnie Sell, commander of the 446th Force Support Squadron. “Winning this award for 2015 is a culmination of his leadership and hard work for members of the 446th Airlift Wing. He is an exceptional mentor to his peers and subordinates with a servant leadership style that compliments his drive to excel. I couldn't be more honored to have him on my team."
As a result of his leadership, Besselman's unit was also awarded as the top Education and Training office in the Air Force Reserve Command after receiving the Nathan Altshuler award.
A champion of the CCAF program, Besselman offered seven core classes and increased graduation rates 200 percent to make the 446th Airlift Wing one of the top 10 programs in the AFRC.
Besselman was also heavily involved in the community, coordinating an online charity auction to raise more than $1,400 for childhood cancer research.
According to his leadership, his commitment to excellence and the Air Force core values has earned him the right to be considered among the best Force Support Senior NCOs in the Air Reserve Command.
"This is quite an accomplishment for Senior Master Sgt. Besselman to be recognized at the ARC level," said Col. Bryan Runion, 446th Mission Support Group commander. “His outstanding leadership was further reflected by the Education and Training Office receiving the Nathan Altshuler award as the best in AFRC."