Flight Sergeant’s triple treat

Award-winning Flight Sergeant Michelle Adams. Photo by AC Greg Pierce

By Ben Caddaye

FLIGHT Sergeant Michelle Adams doesn’t do her job to win awards, so when she received three commendations on the trot at the end of 2002 she was, understandably, quite taken aback.

A Reservist with RAAF Base Amberley’s No. 23 Squadron, FSGT Adams is a member of the base’s Security Police and clearly relishes what she does.

“As a Reservist I know I’m making a contribution, but I never thought anyone was watching,” FSGT Adams said.

Her dedication to the Security Police and Amberley’s Security and Fire School was rewarded with a trio of distinguished awards.

Her first, a Warrant Officers’ Call Certificate of Appreciation, recognised her service as a member of 23SQN and contribution to the effective operation of the unit.

FSGT Adams joined 23SQN in 1999 after 13 years in the Permanent Air Force. The award was her first as a Reservist but, as she found out, it wasn’t her last.

Less than a month later, she received a Commanding Officer’s Commendation for her commitment to training and development within the Police Security Services Training Flight at the Security and Fire School. “I was surprised.

When they called out my name I didn’t acknowledge it at first, then someone said ‘Hey Michelle, that’s you’,” she said.

Still on cloud nine at receiving such recognition, FSGT Adams completed her hat-trick a couple of weeks later, earning another commendation, this time from 23SQN’s Commanding Officer for her contribution to unit security.

While it was unusual for a reservist to be recognised with three consecutive awards, she was grateful her efforts had been noted.

“I don’t think a lot of permanent members of the Air Force are aware of how Reservists juggle full-time employment, family life and Reserves commitments.”

In her civilian life FSGT Adams does shiftwork as a security officer at a hospital.

“Some days I’ll work from 6am -noon at the base, go home, have a quick shower then do a 2pm-midnight shift at the hospital,” she said.

Although she has precious little spare time to herself, she wouldn’t swap her busy schedule for anything. “I find it very rewarding. I’m fortunate in that I have an avenue to contribute to both ADF and civilian life. You could say I’ve got the best of both worlds.”

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