Milwaukee Airman Receives Kenneth Disney Award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Kuntze
  • 128th Air Refueling Wing
MILWAUKEE --  Staff Sgt. Jamie Schoewe, a 128th Air Refueling Wing services squadron specialist, was awarded the Kenneth Disney Award in March following an inspection of the wing's services squadron.

As one of three selected Airmen from throughout the nation, Schoewe will go to the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, California, in September.  There, she will work with master chefs, as well as services personnel from the Air Force and Marine Corps, while honing her food preparation and cooking skills.

"[This is] a huge honor, and the fact we were even selected is great," Schoewe said.

The Hennessy Travelers Association inspected the 128th Air Refueling Wing services squadron in February, and the squadron was selected as one of the top three in the nation, Schoewe said. Due to her expertise and skill, the 24-year-old staff sergeant was chosen to receive the Kenneth Disney Award.

"I extended for one year to accept the award," Schoewe said. "It's an honor to be known as someone who goes above and beyond for just doing their job."

"She's like the Energizer bunny," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Auxier, the fitness program manager with the 128 ARW services squadron. "[Staff Sgt. Schoewe] never stops working, she always has a smile, and she stays late to take care of any unfinished business."

Schoewe has been with the 128 ARW for six years. Her civilian job involves working for the Incoming Call Center for the Great West Retirement Center, where she answers people's questions regarding retirement funds, she said. The hospitality-minded sergeant attended the Universities of Wisconsin-Madison and -Whitewater, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies.

Regarding her job in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, Schoewe maintains a positive and upbeat attitude that is difficult to discount.

"[This job] requires a passion for food," Schoewe said. "We probably have the most fun out of all the sections on base; we work hard to feed everyone on base, and then we keep the facility clean. I think anyone [in the services squadron] deserves the award."