LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Senior Airman Soribel Rodriguez, 47th Medical Group commander’s support staff, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer of the Week”, Aug. 12, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Harper, 47th Mission Support Group superintendent, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
Rodriguez, whose primary duty is patient referral, assists the 47 MDG in validating and expediting leave requests and official travel vouchers. During her tenure as the commander’s support staff, she has validated more than 160 leave requests and approximately 800 official travel vouchers.
“Once a member submits leave and a supervisor approves it, you are the last stop to get their leave authorized,” she said. “Same thing with DTS—it’s important because people struggle with [those things] sometimes.”
She also assists in her group’s official functions, acting as a coordinator for such occasions as retirements and changes of command. Her work routinely helps honor the service and dedication of the group’s members during pivotal points in their careers.
“There’s a lot of programs like retirements, decorations, when people get orders and leave, or when we have new people coming in,” she said. “We’re the belly button between the whole medical group for the commander.”
Rodriguez, a member of the base’s honor guard, recently completed a one-year commitment. She now acts as an on-call to help prevent gaps in service to what many describe as an important function of the military.
“It was a great experience. One of my best experiences in the Air Force so far,” she said. “I was able to support this important mission for the wing and honor those members who served before me.”
For her work as her group commander’s support staff in ensuring timely, effective administration between her commander and the medical staff, and as a base honor guard member, Rodriguez has earned this week’s “XLer of the Week.”