‘Sharp Troop’: Ramstein Chief’s Group honors squared away Airman

Airman 1st Class Melissa Maraj
Kaiserslautern American


***image1***The Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group recognizes the hard work and dedication of Airmen in the KMC throughout the year with the “Sharp Award.”

According to the group’s Publicity Chairperson Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hale, the Sharp Award program recognizes technical sergeants and below assigned to the KMC who exhibit outstanding military appearance and bearing, and demonstrate stellar job performance.

“The Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group has more than 125 chiefs, who may individually recognize one enlisted member per year with a ‘Sharp Award,’” said Chief Master Sgt. Tony Gray, who leads the program. “On average, 25 enlisted members are recognized a year.”

Members of the Chiefs’ Group can nominate active-duty members by filling out their “Sharp Troop” card and submitting it for consideration for the award, said Chief Hale.

“Each month, the Chiefs’ Group has the pleasure of singling out some of KMC’s finest Airmae for their hard work and dedication,” said Chief Hale.

In addition to the prestige of being recognized for qualities such as professionalism on the job and overall excellence, the Chiefs’ Group, Sharp Award winners are presented a certificate, Ramstein Chiefs’ Group coin, Army and Air Force Exchange Service and 435th Services Squadron coupons, $200 U.S. Savings Bond and a $500 rebate off of any new BMW at a designated dealer.

“Also, recognition as a ‘Sharp Award’ winner is a great accomplishment to include in quarterly award and Below-The-Zone nominations, as well as Enlisted Performance Reports,” said Chief Hale.

“Many Chiefs’ Groups across the Air Force have similar ‘Sharp Award’ programs, so winners are often universally recognized as stand-out performers and professionals,” he said.

“Across the KMC, our people continue to do amazing work, often just because this is who they are – air and space professionals committed to excellence,” said Chief Hale.