It’s not every day that one makes a lasting impact on the entire profession at the national level, and perhaps it doesn’t happen every year either. But for Air Mobility Command’s nominee for the 2024 National Public Service Award, that thought has become a reality through professional understanding and a dedicated work ethic.

Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Hall, 62nd Operations Support Squadron flight equipment chief, has dedicated his years of service to creating real and lasting change in the AFE career field. Despite time constraints and inevitable obstacles, Hall’s efforts earned him the Air Mobility Command’s nomination for the prestigious award.

This award honors individuals who have contributed to the common good of the nation through exemplary public service both inside and outside the workplace.

“When I heard about the nomination, I was not only surprised,” Hall said with raised eyebrows and a smile. “I was speechless.”

Hall himself may have been shocked, but his superior, Chief Master Sgt. Analie Tigert, the 62nd OSS’s highest-ranking noncommissioned officer, was not.

“Senior Master Sgt. Hall’s exemplary performance was evident from the moment he arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and joined the 62nd OSS one year ago,” said Tigert. “Hall’s ability to manage day-to-day operations while always keeping an eye on innovation are just some of the impressive qualities that have given him such a remarkable career thus far.”

While stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Hall sought out professional allies who shared the same goals: streamlining processes, cutting red tape and improving the situation for Soldiers. With the advice and support of his mentor, Chief Master Sgt. David Siemiet, the AFE career leader, and with the help of his current innovation team, which includes some of his Viking brothers from his time at Joint Base Charleston, Hall has worked to make a difference within AFE, he said.

Hall’s current innovation team includes Tech. Sgt. William Hageman, JBC AFE quality assurance manager; Tech. Sgt. Jake Burba, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, AFE specialist; Tech. Sgt. Greyson Shaughnessy and Tech. Sgt. Joe Cruz, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, AFE quality assurance inspectors; Master Sgt. Jasper Roberts, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, AFE technical instructor; and Master Sgt. Brian Grieder, JBC Air Force Reserve Command superintendent.

“We don’t just want to do something, do something,” Hall stressed when talking about his team’s motivation. “We want to make sure that our ideas help everyone they impact, because if they don’t, what’s the point? We’re just wasting our time.”

One of the many projects Hall and his team completed was writing and implementing a new instruction manual (technical instruction) for inspecting a specific piece of equipment. The original technical instruction for seven different harness systems used throughout the Air Force had serious problems, according to Hall.

“The problem was that nobody could represent this TO because it was just completely messed up,” Hall said with a slight sigh. “It was a pain to navigate. What we improved was the quality of the subject matter experts’ training, their knowledge, and the way they could expedite inspections for specified pieces of equipment that were included in this TO.”

This rewrite has had a positive impact on thousands of pilots across the AFE profession. In addition to other process improvements, problem solving, and positive changes, Hall and his team have dedicated much of their time to improving the quality of life for their pilots.

Hall stressed that a public servant must not only serve his fellow citizens, but also try to influence those who do not have dealings with him. One should develop oneself daily for the benefit of both groups, Hall said.

The superintendent continued to attribute his team’s increasing success to his repeated emphasis on the importance of remaining determined even in the face of repeated adversity.

“You just don’t stop,” Hall explained. “If you have that stubborn attitude to keep going, that vision and keep your eyes on it, I promise you things will fall into place. Eventually it will happen. You just have to be ready.”