KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- In an effort to build stronger connections and promote a culture of recognition, the 403rd Wing is bringing back two awards programs: the Peer-to-Peer Recognition Award and the Outstanding Supervisor Award. Both awards aim to highlight members who embody the values of efficient communication, leadership, and team building, often outside the traditional spotlight.
"We want people to take care of each other," said Master Sgt. Jared Bryant, Wing Resiliency Integrator for the 403rd Wing. "Our members prioritize wingmanship and the core values of the Air Force in their everyday lives and work. We want to recognize those qualities because that's part of the culture we want to grow and foster."
The Peer-to-Peer Recognition Award will honor one enlisted member and one officer each quarter for their outstanding support to fellow airmen. Unlike other awards focused on performance metrics or job excellence, this program zeroes in on the often unseen emotional and professional support airmen provide one another in their daily interactions.
"This isn't about the person who's always in the spotlight," said Bryant. "It’s about recognizing those who are helping their teammates succeed, even if they’re not the most decorated or high-profile member on paper."
To qualify for the awards, nominees must be assigned to the 403rd Wing and demonstrate strong communication skills, mentorship, and a positive impact on their peers’ job success. Any airman can nominate another—regardless of rank—by submitting a short 5–7 sentence paragraph describing how the nominee has made a difference. Bullet statements are discouraged, favoring personable and narrative-style descriptions instead.
The nomination forms will be distributed via email and housed on the wing’s SharePoint. All submissions will be sent to the prevention workflow inbox and evaluated by a panel. Award recipients will receive a commemorative coin as well as the recognition of their peers.
The 403rd Wing is also launching the Outstanding Supervisor Award, which mirrors the Peer-to-Peer Award in structure and timing. This award allows supervisees to recognize their current supervisors who have served in that role for at least three months—for exemplary leadership and support.
"These programs are rooted in our Comprehensive Integrated Prevention Plan," said Bryant. "They're about increasing meaningful engagement, building stronger teams, and fostering leadership qualities that sometimes go unrecognized."
Both awards will be launched in May during the unit training assembly (UTA), with the first recipients to be announced shortly thereafter. Each will continue a quarterly basis.
"We're excited to get this going," said Bryant. "We can't wait to read all the great things our airmen have to say about each other. This is about building a resilient, connected wing."