Courtesy Photo | Master Sgt. Patricia M. Font, a Mission Installation Contracting Command...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. - Master Sgt. Patricia M. Font, a Mission Installation Contracting Command noncommissioned officer here, has earned the national LATINA Style Distinguished Service Award for 2014.
Font, who is the senior enlisted advisor for the field directorate office at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, will be honored at a military service luncheon, co-hosted by the Department of Defense, in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. LATINA Style magazine annually honors the accomplishments of women serving in the armed forces to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month activities.
The Style award recognizes service, leadership, accomplishments and commitment to building a strong community. It is the only national awards program honoring Latina military and civilian personnel “who through their service have enhanced the role of Latinas in their organizations.”
“I was very happy when I learned I would receive this award,” said Font who came to the United States in 1995 from Peru as a first-year college exchange student at Queen College in New York. “When I saw the list of all my accomplishments that (were in my nomination letter), I was so surprised.”
She added, “This is an opportunity to show the contributions I’ve made for my country.”
Font said she was unaware of the nomination until she received a phone call on Aug. 19 while in Ohio.
“I was attending the Contracting for Decision Makers course when my command sergeant major called. ‘Oh wow,’” she said while thanking him.
In the letter nominating the master sergeant for the award, Brig. Gen. Jeffery A. Gabbert, commander, U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, said Font performed “exceptional service” during the period of August 2012 through July 2014. “Master Sgt. Font provided unsurpassed contracting support while assigned to the 410th CSB. Furthermore, while deployed in support of SOUTHCOM, her efforts directly led to improved quality of life for local civil rights and equal opportunity. She fully supports the Army SHARP and Equal Opportunity programs and works tirelessly to promote equal opportunity for all.” Gabbert continued, “It is my firm belief that Master Sgt. Font embodies the highest standards of selfless service. She is a positive role model and her tireless efforts supporting the needs of others is an inspiration to the command. She has performed at the highest level of achievement and is worthy of this esteemed award.”
While forward deployed in Bogota, Colombia, in 2012-2014, Font volunteered for humanitarian assistance projects benefitting the Colombian people with schools and other community improvements to include promoting civil rights and equal opportunity.
In this assignment, Font provided contracting support to the deployed units and Joint Task Force personnel. This included direct procurement support for counter-drug, peacekeeping, humanitarian, training, and contingency missions in the Caribbean and Central and South America. She was chosen because of her exceptional character, outstanding leadership skills, demonstrated contracting ability, and her fluency in Spanish, Gabbert said.
During the six months, Font awarded 65 contracting actions in excess of $1.8 million. She supported more than 1,000 personnel assigned to the Department of Defense, Department of State and local nationals assigned to the U.S. Embassy.
For her performance, Font was the 2012 recipient of the 410th Contracting Support Brigade Non-commissioned Officer of the Year award.
While in San Antonio for four years, Font volunteered during her free time in support of underprivileged children of immigrants during the holiday season and the Meals on Wheels Program where she assisted in the delivery of more than 500 warm meals to seniors in the local community.
Font was born and raised in Lima, Peru, and enlisted in the Army in 1996, attending Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Upon graduation she was awarded the MOS 56M – chaplain assistant. In 2010, she transitioned into MOS 51C – contingency contracting NCO.
While learning English in college in New York , an Army recruiter visited her class. “He told us wonderful things about the Army. I thought the Army was a great career. I wish I could do this one day,” she said recalling the effectiveness of the Army sales pitch.
After the program, she remained in the U.S. and soon was married. Font planned to enlist, along with her husband, Jose. “But he did not pass the physical due to a broken arm. Here I am now after 18 years,” Font noted.
Her assignments include Headquarters 159th Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu; HHC, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., and her current assignment with the 410th Contracting Support Brigade and MICC here. In addition to Colombia, she deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Font holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hawaii Pacific University and an associate of arts degree in supervisory leadership. She is pursuing her MBA at Incarnate Work University.
“My parents are still in Peru and they are really so proud of the award,” Font said. “They want to put my picture in a newspaper there.”
Font and her husband have two children; Alexander, 16 and Gabriella, 15. She said all will go to the awards luncheon with her. “They are so proud too. My son wants to continue ROTC in college and become an officer.”
She expects to be at Fort Lee for about one more year and hopes to be selected to the sergeants major academy. In her current position, she is responsible for about 75 Soldiers in Field Detachment Office across the United States
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2014 09:20 |
| Story ID: | 141111 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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