Laughlin historian records, makes history

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Joel Langton
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It's possible to track many people's Air Force careers by looking at the plaques that adorn their walls or clutter their desk. 

But the same can't be said for Todd Schroeder, 47th Flying Training Wing historian, one of the Air Force's most decorated historians. 

He shoves a third of his most recent awards in a corner. The others he's received through the years are tucked away somewhere only known to him. You can tell he has a family by the photos on his desk but would have no idea he's a retired master sergeant or that he's won most of the history awards in the Air Force. 

Surprisingly, there's not a database of which historian has won the most awards, but Air Education and Training Command historians 'don't think' anyone has ever notched more than Mr. Schroeder. 

Every year, Mr. Schroeder churns out a vivid history. Every year, for the last five, his work was deemed best in AETC and was once named Best in Air Force. But the awards are nothing new for him. 

As an active duty wing historian, Sergeant Schroeder was awarded Excellence in Wing History in 1992 and 1999 while working in Air Force Special Operations Command and 2002 while working in Air Combat Command. After retiring, Mr. Schroeder won the same award in 2004 through 2008 at Laughlin. He also won the Allen S. Major award, which is presented to the best single-person office in the Air Force, in 1991 and in 2008. He won the Excellence in Publications, for special studies for covering the 84th Flying Training Squadron's transition from the T-37B to the T-6A in 2006. 

When you ask him about his awards, it's like you're asking him about some deep dark family secret. He turns red, shrugs his shoulders and holds his hands palms up, as if to say, "they forced me to take those awards, I didn't want them." 

If you talk to AETC's historians, it is easy to see why Mr. Schroeder truly is the best. This past year, he wasn't going to submit an application, according to Mr. Ray Ortensie, AETC staff historian. 

"The deputy command assistant historian had to goad him into applying," Mr. Ortensie said. "We know that when he submits, we're going to have a competitive history at the Air Force level." 

It's not just about competitive award histories though. Mr. Schroeder's work is being used by historians across the Air Force. "In his five years in AETC, I've never seen a better history done." 

However, there's a price for this kind of 'fame'. "There are young historians who are gunning for him in the sense they know they have to beat him to be the best," Mr. Ortensie said. 

There are a number of factors that make Mr. Schroeder a cut above the rest.
"Whenever I write a history, I write it with the end-user in mind," he said. "Whoever is reading this history, I don't want them to have any questions when they're done." Most of his histories average around 200 pages. 

For Mr. Schroeder, the hard part is narrowing the information down, sifting through reports and data to succinctly encompass the year. 

According to Mr. Ortensie, goal number one is accomplished. "There are never any questions when his histories are finished. He answers questions you don't even think of asking. You never wonder what if. He takes you all the way from the big picture to the tiniest details." 

Mr. Schroeder said his knack for documenting histories is a gift from God, literally.
"I feel like God has given me certain talents. The ability to write, research and talk to people is one of those talents," Mr. Schroeder said. "I'm just using the talent He has given me." 

Mr. Schroeder approaches his work with a missionary zeal when it comes to customer service. Mr. Schroeder spends quite a bit of time answering questions from the wing members and even the general public. The questions range from how an Air Force policy impacted the service to who Yarborough Street is named after on base. "It shows that people are interested and I want to help them out." 

He says another thing that drives him is the "dynamic Laughlin mission." 

"They say that America's Airpower Starts Here and that's true," he said. "They lay the foundation for the future of the Air Force here and I get to record it." 

He records it like no one else in history ever has.