Yoder named 2008 SNCO of the year Published March 19, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. James Branch Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- "The sound of freedom," is a phrase used to describe the hovering sound of a C-130 aircraft passing by. But it takes more than pilots to keep these "birds" in the sky. It also takes the correct calculations, passenger and cargo placements of Senior Master Sergeant Scott E. Yoder, instructor /loadmaster for the 700th Airlift Squadron. Sergeant Yoder was named 2008 94th Airlift Wing SNCO of the Year. Recently returning from a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia he attributes a lot of his recent accomplishments to the experience he gained with members of his unit along with interaction with 317th Airlift Group from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "It was good for me to witness operations other than the routine training I was used to," said Yoder. "It was somewhat of a blend of management." Sergeant Yoder hails from Oregon City, Ore., nicknamed, "The End of the Oregon Trail." He enlisted in the Air Force in December 1992 as an aerospace ground equipment mechanic. "I just wanted to travel and serve my country," Sergeant Yoder said. "The Air Force has afforded me that opportunity and then some." Sergeant Yoder decided to expand his knowledge of the enlisted air corps and cross-trained in 1996. He became an aircraft loadmaster. He took advantage of the opportunity to become an Air Reserve Technician in 2001, relocating to Dobbins and becoming an instructor/loadmaster. "The most rewarding factor of my job is watching students and young troops aspire and meet their goals such as I have," Sergeant Yoder said. Although he's nominated and submitted many award packets for his unit Airmen, Yoder was unaware of his first sergeants recommendation for him to be named senior non-commissioned officer for the third quarter of 2008. One of the quarterly award winners is selected by their unit to advance to the wing level selection of SNCO of the Year. "I knew once I received SNCO of the Quarter that there would be some stiff competition among my peers," Sergeant Yoder said. "This is my first time being selected as 'anything' of the year. It's a tremendous honor." With winning such a prestigious award, Sergeant Yoder realizes the challenge of maintaining the commitment to excellence for him and the 700th AS. "I've enjoyed seeing myself as well as our other NCO's being recognized for our achievements," he said. "The 700th AS has been fortunate to receive all of our rewards." Sergeant Yoder will now compete at the Air Force Reserve Command level.
