The winners for calendar year 2019 were: Corporal Pawel Galek, assigned to NATO Air Ground Surveillance Force, Tech Sergeant Corey Weierbach, assigned to NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, Master Sergeant Nikolai Gazdzik and Captain Alexander Huskisson both assigned to Allied Air Command.
“This is a highly competitive process where we receive packages from some of the best non-commissioned officers (NCO’s) and junior officers from each command and Allied nation,” said ACO CSEL Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste. “Each of these awardees went through a rigorous review to come out on top, and all are worthy recipients.”
The official portraits of the four winners of Allied Command Operation's Military Member of the Year are shown above in order from (top left to bottom right): Corporal Pawel Galek, assigned to NATO Air Ground Surveillance Force, Tech Sergeant Corey Weierbach, assigned to NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, Master Sergeant Nikolai Gazdzik and Captain Alexander Huskisson both assigned to Allied Air Command. (NATO Photos submitted by various commands)
The four categories for awardees are: junior ranks ranging from OR-1 to OR-4, NCO’s from OR-5 to OR-6, Senior NCO’s from OR-7 to OR-8 and junior officers from OF-1 to OF-2. The program is designed to recognize the excellence of ACO troops across all warfare areas, commands and levels of experience and leadership.
“Now more than ever it’s important to recognize the hard work and successes of our troops for their continued commitment to making NATO and ACO the most successful Alliance in history,” said CSM Saliste. “This year we’ve face never before seen challenges, but we’ve also become collectively stronger and more capable than ever.”
Packages for candidates are submitted in the early months of each year detailing the work done by selectees the previous calendar year. Therefore, packages submitted in 2021, will highlight service members performances for 2020.
To find out more information about the nomination process or how to submit a package for consideration, please reach out to SAGCSEL@shape.nato.int.