AF Surgeon General civilian earns Spirit of Service award Published May 8, 2014 By Larine Barr Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs Office WASHINGTON -- An Air Force Surgeon General employee was among 34 civilians selected to receive the prestigious 2014 Spirit of Service award for outstanding service to the Defense Department. The award annually honors Defense Department employees from the National Capital Region who demonstrate honor, integrity and excellence in their daily support to the department. Ms. Rebecca Buffalini, a medical inquiries specialist with the Congressional and Public Affairs Office, Air Force Surgeon General, received the award during a ceremony May 7 at the Pentagon courtyard, presided over by Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, as part of Public Service Recognition Week. During the ceremony, Work said when he served as the Navy's undersecretary, he was astounded by the patriotism, knowledge and passion of the civilian workforce-- from the lowest grades to the senior executive service. He added that the civilian workforce's contributions to the department make us the "greatest military in the world." An Air Force SG employee since 2004, Buffalini earned the award in recognition of her personal devotion to the welfare of Airmen and their families. In her current position she fields Congressional case work inquiries that directly impact service members and their medical concerns. "She has always gone that extra mile beyond her duties to make sure a troubled parent of an injured Airman, or the mother of a sick child, or a deserving retiree knows that the Air Force cares about them and considers their concerns to be a priority. She is not a nurse or doctor, but she just as effectively wears the face of compassion of the Air Force Medical Service," according to the citation. "It is an employee such as Becky, one of many 'unsung heroes,' who deserves the recognition this and every Public Service Recognition Week. They are the people who ultimately epitomize what public service means and why it is valuable to our nation," the citation added. The fourth annual award honored employees representing the Defense Department, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Services. Buffalini joined seven other Air Force civilian employees selected by their components for this year's Spirit of Service award.