Photo by Alex McVeigh Staff Sgt. Dorsey Creech

Q: Describe your job.
A: I process joint awards. Joint awards are on a higher level than regular service awards. For example, we award the Joint Achievement Medal as opposed to the Army Achievement Medal.

Q: What do you find to be the most challenging and rewarding part?
A: It’s challenging making people understand that it’s not a normal Army award, and making other services realize that you can’t just get one of the awards with a simple phone call. There’s a specific, set process governed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

The rewarding part is giving the awards themselves. It’s always nice to help someone get the recognition they deserve, especially on a deadline. For example, we want to make sure someone is processed before their retirement ceremony or during a period of transition.

Q: What is it like working in a joint service environment?
A: My boss is a civilian and my counterpart is Air Force. It’s fantastic for me, I have a great supervisor. There’s no formation, no organized PT and it’s a pretty self-paced environment. You’ve got a job to do and the space to do it.

Q: Where else have you been stationed and how is it different from your position here?
A: At Fort Bragg [N.C.] with the 82nd Airborne. There you could be in the field doing airborne operations or in the office doing a personnel asset inventory.

Here, there’s a set routine, it’s the same day to day. I like the change of pace here, it’s different.

They both have perks, there’s more variety in other positions, but I know that tonight I’ll be able to go home and see my wife and sleep in my own bed. I’m not going to suddenly get called to duty.

Q: Where are you from originally, and how does it compare with Washington, D.C.?
A: A small town in Oklahoma. As far as the job market goes, it’s nice here. My wife likes to work, and a big area is better for that.

Q: What is your philosophy as an NCO?
A: I’ve learned the best thing you can do is lead by example, and support people regardless of rank or position.

I’ve met a few NCOs who taught me that, going all the way back to my senior drill instructor in [Advanced Individual Training]. You never had to second-guess what he was doing and thinking.

Everybody working for and around him knew what the standards were.

Q: What would you be if you weren’t in the Army?
A: I can’t really see myself doing anything else. I’m very pleased with what the Army has done for me. If I could think of something else, I would probably be doing it.

I joined because my dad was prior service and my cousin was a recruiter. They pointed me in the right direction, and told me to try it out. I did, and I loved it.

Q: What do you think of the educational opportunities offered by the Army?
A: It’s outstanding. Through things like GoArmyEd, a lot of colleges will work with you online, by distance and other ways to fit around a busy schedule.

The education level that used to be expected of officers is now the norm for NCOs. Officers used to have a bachelor’s, now there are E-7s who have a bachelor’s and a master’s.

It’s a huge opportunity to get an education and experience level that can’t be touched. If you’re getting out of the Army with 20 years of experience, you’re way ahead of the market.