Travis Airman named California NCO of the year Published Sept. 12, 2014 By Senior Airman Bryan Swink 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tech. Sgt. Kristen Griffin, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health NCO in-charge, was recognized as the California Air Force Association Active Duty NCO of the Year for 2014 during the organization's annual banquet Aug. 16 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This recognition came as a shock to Griffin, as she didn't realize she was even being nominated for the award. "This took me by complete surprise," said Griffin, who now works at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "I was truly honored and flattered by it, but this award should also be attributed to the four other members of my team at Public Health. We consider ourselves the fab five." Griffin achieved the award based on the work she and her team accomplished at Public Health. Shortly after arriving at the unit, the fab five brought the compliancy rate from 89 percent to 100 percent in approximately seven months on all occupational health exams, which include hearing exams, lab work and visual acuity. The success in 2013 and 2014 is coming on the heels of her being recognized in 2012 as Air Mobility Command Public Health NCO of the Year. This past year she served as vice president and treasurer for Staff Sergeant Technical Sergeant Association Reaching Success. But one of her most proud achievements is earning 15 credit hours toward her Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration sustaining a 3.6 GPA. "It has been hard work and taken a lot of dedication," she said. "Knowing I'm only two classes shy of graduation, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel." All the success and awards that have come Griffin's way can be attributed to the support system and team around her as well as her own determination. "My family and my coworkers deserve as much of the credit as anybody for this award," Griffin said. "The motto I focus on is, 'team work makes the dream work.'"