FOD Award program awards reservists for 'doing their part'

  • Published
  • By Jasmine DeNamur
  • 919th SOW Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Reservists will now be rewarded for going the extra mile while performing Foreign Object Damage prevention activities. 

"The FOD Prevention Award is there to show reservists that we appreciate the extra efforts they make to ensure aircraft fly safely," said Master Sgt. Marion Lollis, 919th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector. "A lot of times, individuals that go above and beyond aren't recognized, and this award strives to do just that." 

The award is given to reservists who consistently participate in FOD walks, have no findings for the quarter, identify a FOD hazard and subsequently submit a recommended fix to the 919th Maintenance Group quality assurance office, and create a FOD awareness poster, said Sergeant Lollis. 

As the first reservist to be recognized with the award, Staff Sgt. Kathleen Dominick, 919th Maintenance Squadron engine mechanic, appreciates the merit. 

"I think it's good to be recognized. It's nice to have someone say, 'hey, you did a really good job,'" she said. 

"Once a week I go out and conduct a FOD walk over the entire flight line. I find everything from safety pins to large pieces of concrete - there really aren't any limits to the kinds of FOD that exist," she added. 

"We collect everything we find, because the smallest item could potentially cause the greatest danger to an aircraft and its crew," said Sergeant Lollis. 

While reservists have to do their part to stay active in the FOD program, in order to be eligible for the award, they have to be nominated by their flight chiefs. 

"We're trying to get the word out to supervisors as well as reservists, so everyone will have the opportunity to be recognized," said Sergeant Lollis. 

The award not only comes with a commemorative FOD coin and plaque or mug for traditional reservists, but time off awards for Air Reserve Technicians. 

The FOD program's motto is "Doing My Part," and hopefully, once the word gets around, everyone will do just that," said Sergeant Lollis. 

Members interested in more information on the program and the award may contact Sergeant Lollis at 883-6418.