LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airman 1st Class Emmanuel Ebhoomhan, 47th Force Support Squadron force management technician, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of May 2, 2018, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Michelle Pryor, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
Ebhoomhan helped his squadron stay on top of their awards documents by reviewing 33 enlisted and officer performance reports, 98 percent of which were received by the Air Force Personnel Center on time. His work allows the wing to participate in the 2018 promotion cycle.
“We want to make sure that we process them correctly and on time, so Airmen can go to their promotion boards,” he said. “If you mess up somebody else’s EPR or OPR, that’s going to slow down their career.”
He also helped administer the wing’s special duty assignment pay with no discrepancies. Upon inheriting the program, he helped process payments for 25 personnel, with nearly four thousand dollars in payments released in one week.
“We need to let them know that we appreciate them filling those in-demand jobs and keep updating the roster to make sure they get paid,” he said.
According to Ebhoomhan, what was a simple effort to become the president for his squadron’s booster club turned into an appreciation of volunteering and giving back. Along with the booster club, he also volunteers at the thrift store on base.
“I like to volunteer because there’s joy in helping put smiles on people’s faces,” he said. “Helping people and being recognized for it warms my heart.”
Originally from Nigeria, he immigrated to the United States through being picked in a visa lottery and enlisted in the military from his family’s home in Louisiana. After several discussions with a friend at a grocery store he frequented, he decided to pursue his dream and join the U.S. military.
Gaining the professional and personal development required to have been selected for both below-the-zone promotion and XLer, according to him, shows that the decision he chose to enlist was right for him.
“I feel blessed having won two very good awards within two months,” he said. “It shows that I’m on the right path, and shows I have great colleagues helping build my success.”