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Devil Raider earns second Levitow Award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Dustin Doyle
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  As the most recent Non-Commissioned Officer Academy graduation came to a close at Maxwell AFB, Ala., an Airman from the 621st Contingency Response Wing here was presented with the Academy's top award. 

Technical Sgt. Ronely Rivera-Ortiz, an aerial port Airman with the 621 CRW's training flight, earned the John L. Levitow Award, identifying him as the top graduate in his class of 125 NCOs from across the Air Force. The award selection is based on many factors, including academic ranking and peer and staff ratings, and is presented to the student who best demonstrates both leadership and academic excellence.

"It is definitely an honor to receive this award since, in a way, it was awarded by my peers and instructors," said Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz. "For me, this honor represents long hours of hard work, dedication, and a trip outside of my comfort zone in order to do what is right and warranted. I hope it also represents a new chapter in my military career - one that is yet to be written."

While this award may signal a new chapter for Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz, it is the continuation of a story that he began writing early in his career. This is the second time he has won the Levitow Award. As a young Airman, Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz also earned the award as the top graduate of his Airman Leadership School class. 

"Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz is a phenomenal NCO and enlisted Air Force leader," said Capt. Gene Jacobus, chief of wing training and Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz's supervisor. "He is one of the best and brightest Airmen I know, and he's been critical to our wing's ability to meet its demanding global mobility mission. His selection as the Levitow winner highlights his professionalism, and we are extremely proud of him."

While the fast pace of a career in the Air Force can cause some people to "burn-out", Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz's personal code has helped him to uphold the Air Force core value of "Excellence in All We Do" throughout his career. 

"I've done my best to be true to those values and discipline that my parents instilled in me when I was growing up. I try to value what I have accomplished in my career, to treasure it. It really helps me set course for what is to come. And in the end, I think about those who I owe it to: my family and my organization." 

Now that he's back from the NCO Academy, Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz will resume his duties of managing a variety of training programs for the wing.

"Sergeant Rivera-Ortiz is a great person whose commitment to service serves as an inspiration to his fellow Airmen," said Captain Jacobus. "We are fortunate to have him on our team."