Staff Sgt. Kelly Wallace, 460th SW Chapel: Go Crabbers!

Published July 25, 2008

Warrior of the Week -- Staff Sgt. Kelly Wallace, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Chapel Operations, at the 460th Space Wing Chapel, is the Warrior of the Week for Aug. 1 - 7.

Sergeant Wallace has been in the Air Force for eight years and hails from Hampton, Va. -- home of the Hampton High School Crabbers. She enjoys spending time with family, working out and shopping.

Master Sgt. Craig Wolfe, Chapel NCOIC, says Sergeant Wallace oversees the day-to-day operations of the Chapel. New to the career field, she has assumed duties and responsibilities that are normally handled by more seasoned chaplain assistants. She ensures that weekly services, events, more than 50 non-chapel ceremonies and classes are seamlessly conducted each month. Lastly, she has integrated the new Air Force centrally managed chapel offering fund program into daily operations, dramatically increasing parishioner access to their funds and the overall efficiency of the Chapel mission.

How do your day-to-day duties impact the Air Force mission?
I help make sure that every Airman I come in contact with is helped and knows that I am available to help them in any way I can. I also help keep the base chapel clean and ready for any event that comes our way. By doing all of this, I give Airmen a chance to express their own beliefs freely and make the Air Force a better place.

If you could change one thing about the Air Force what would it be?
I would try to help younger Airmen to not fall into the trap of rank intimidation because there is a big difference between that and showing respect for another person. No Airman should use rank intimidation.

Why do you serve?
I want to serve my country first and I also like being able to provide for my family and know that they are being cared for.

What has been your most memorable experience in the Air Force?
My most memorable experience in the Air Force was basic training. I did not believe that I would be able to make it through sometimes, but I did!

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
My most memorable personal accomplishments are my three children!

If you were not in the military, where would you be? Why?
I believe that if it were not for the military, I would be back at home working a job that is not so fulfilling and probably would have never left Virginia.

Where would you like to be in ten years? What would you be doing?
In ten years, I want to have two years to go until retirement from Active Duty. I want to see my children happy and provided for. I want to have my Master of Business Administration and be planning to work as a government contractor back home in Hampton, Virginia.

Military accomplishments:
Successfully navigated three Air Force jobs in eight years: information management, communications/computer systems operations and chaplain assistant.
Helped unit achieve the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 20th Intelligence Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
Helped unit achieve two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, 55th Communications Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.

Chapel Warrior of the Week