MacDill Airman Wins John L. Levitow Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The dining hall exploded in a roar of applause at the announcement of her name. 

On Feb. 12, 2015, Senior Airman Chelsey Hibsch, 6th Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman, was presented with the highest award presented to the Airman Leadership School graduate who demonstrated the most outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities of the class.

"Anyone who has worked with Senior Airman Hibsch will tell you her winning the John L. Levitow Award was not lucky or by chance," said Officer Jason Atkinson, 6th SFS Emergency Service Team officer in charge. "It was expected!"

Since her enlistment in 2010 at the age of 17, Hibsch has continued to strive for excellence.

"I am constantly looking for ways to improve myself through training, education, physical fitness, volunteering and so on," said the Attica, New York native.

To add to her main job and additional duty as part of the EST, Hibsch has taken up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a martial art and combat sport that teaches a smaller person how to defend against a larger adversary by using leverage and proper technique.

"With every roll at every practice you learn something new," Hibsch said. "I have competed in a few tournaments in Florida and I love it!"

She went on to point out that BJJ is a sport that requires a lot of skill, and the support and experience she has received from her security forces job has helped her to become more confident in her physical abilities.

"My coworkers on the EST and I are very close, like family," she said. "It helps to keep a positive environment and I strive in more optimistic atmospheres."

With just one class remaining, the 22-year-old hopes to complete her Bachelors of Arts in Social Science degree in April before sewing on her staff sergeant stripe in May.

"Hibsch is an innovator," said Tech. Sgt. Jaime Perez, 6th SFS flight chief. "Such a young Airman with the knowledge and creativity we hope to see in all levels of followership and leadership."