Machinery Technician 3rd Class Jose Rosario

Aviation Survival Tech. 1st Class Stephen Garcia

Chief Warrant Officer James Oaks

Marine Science Tech. 1st Class Vincent Rachal

MST1 Vincent Rachal, a reservist, volunteered for extended active duty as a Sea Marshall in southern California, conducting numerous security risk assessment boardings at one of the largest cargo entry ports in the US, and training his fellow team members to master the often-dangerous ship-to-ship transfer process. A recipient of the City of Gardena's Trail Blazer Award for dedicated service to the community, he works with local park and city planners to provide inner city African American and other children safe, free-time activities, along with volunteering for local elections committees and promoting multicultural events for Black History Month, Cinco de Mayo, the city's Jazz Festival and other public events.

Boatswain's Mate First Class Chad Johnson

BM1 Chad Johnson rescued two men in a 35-foot sailboat in dangerous 15-foot seas by rigging an innovative towing bridle and navigating his 19-foot small boat with sailboat in tow through a deteriorating canal, around several reefs, and ultimately to safety. While on liberty, he willingly gave of his time to paint a schoolhouse in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and back in his homeport of Boston, he organized a chili cook-off for the Boston Fire Department raising money for the Shriner's Burn Center. He regularly volunteers at a local homeless shelter and coaches kids sports teams.

Aviation Survival Technician, 3rd Class Drew Dazzo

Senior Airman, Air Pulse Assistant Editor Vanessa Gray

Senior Airman Alvin Schurman

Staff Sergeant Lorinda McDaniel

Technical Sergeant Christopher Vansile

"Senior Airman Rivera is the epitome of an 'outstanding performer'," says his commander. He was recognized in the 2002 Operational Readiness Inspection by the Inspector General team, was selected as the 314th Communication Squadron's Airman of the Year in 2002 and is the 2003 Air Education and Training Command's annual award winner for communication and information systems. One NCO IG inspector said that SrA Rivera developed the two "best practice" programs he's seen used throughout the Air Force. "He goes above and beyond every day doing the work of the next higher rank without a complaint", says his supervisor.

Off duty, SrA Rivera gives generously of his time in youth, community and church programs. Each year he travels to Puerto Rico to mentor the youth in his old neighborhood, emphasizing anti-drug education and ways to succeed in life. During his last trip there, he recruited a young person into the Air Force and saw the recruit off to basic training. "I think that's commendable and pretty cool, too," said his commander. While stationed at Little Rock, SrA Rivera has mentored over 20 at-risk kids through the Big Brother/Big Sister Programs, helped struggling airmen via the base's Airman's Attic program and provided assistance to the elderly through the Meals-on-Wheels program. "He is well-rounded in all that he does," says one NCO. "This tireless bluesuiter is a true champion of base and community involvement, a top-notch professional in every way". SrA Rivera epitomizes the best of those serving in the Air Force today.