501st SARC selected 'Air Force A1 Specialist of the Year'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joel Mease
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the 501st Combat Support Wing was named as the top A1 Specialist of the Year by the Air Force Feb. 21.

Kimberly Dickman was selected as the top specialist after nominations from more than 90 wings were submitted into the annual A1 Awards. Her selection marked the third person or program to be named for an A1 award at the Air Force from the 501st CSW in 2009.

"This is quite an honor as I know many, many people in this wing and other wings who work as hard as I do, so to be chosen from them all is an honor," she said. "To be recognized for hard work feels good."

Her ability to overcome the unique challenges with a wing split into units scattered across the United Kingdom and Norway is what she said she believes made her stand out amongst the very competitive award process.

"The demographics of our wing with its GSUs create great challenges and being able to stay on top of those helped to make me a strong contender. The Air Force Instruction for this program just came out when I started working here, so I had good direction on where to take the program," Ms. Dickman said. "I think I was able to maintain all of these because I do things that I really feel passionate about, both in work and outside of work."

With an idea of how she wanted to run her program and a lot of miles between units, she found herself on the road a lot but came across a lot of support.

"I spent many hours traveling to our GSUs and coordinating with Victim's Advocates to ensure services across the wing were the same no matter what base our airmen are located at," she said. "I also try to personalize information and presentations to fit the needs of the audience. As a former teacher and constant learner I try to present in meaningful ways, ways I would like to hear information."

"There was also great support from wing, group, and squadron leadership and team work from first responders and victim's advocates. Prevention and response really does take team effort," she said.

Ultimately, though she said she believes she wouldn't have accomplished so much if it weren't for those closest to her.

"This award and my work would not have been possible without the support and work of my family, particularly my husband," Ms. Dickman said.