Reservist takes home top NCO Academy awards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mark Hybers
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Technical Sgt. Roger Kubilis, 507th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was awarded the Academic Achievement and Distinguished Graduate awards from the Non Commissioned Officer Academy at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. on July 17, a first for a member of the LRS.
Kubilis, who attended the in-residence course from June 6 through July 17, competed with 126 reserve, guard and active duty members for the top honors.
"I think the course was incredible," he said. "I really loved getting the interaction with active duty members. That's not something I have had a lot of opportunity with in my career."
Kubilis was not sure of his overall GPA, but knew he had tested very well throughout the course. He was more surprised that he was nominated in the top 10 percent for the Distinguished Graduate Award.
"I made perfect scores on all my tests except the last one, so I knew my academics would at least be right up there," he added. "But the distinguished grad award involves academics, fitness and leadership. With 126 people competing in all three areas, I think it's a great honor to have received that one too."
According to LRS Commander, Maj. Dennis Sivert, this might be the first time that anyone from the 507th ARW has taken home these two awards from the NCO Academy.
"I have been here since 1981, and I can't remember anyone in the wing ever taking home both of these awards from the same class," he said. "It is definitely the first time anyone in LRS has accomplished this feat."
Sivert added," I'm extremely proud to have watched Kubilis' career growth over the past six and a half years. He's really set the standard for the entire wing."
Kubilis gave credit to the course and the other 125 members that were in attendance. He said the course provided a lot of hands on, real world experience that he could not have received by taking the correspondence course.
He also said it was a real chance to show the Guard and active duty members that reservists can play a vital role.
"I think it was great for a reservist to take the top spot," he said. "It means that reservists can hang with the best of them."