Hurlburt chief wins NAACP award Published June 26, 2008 By Aaron Schoenfeld 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- A chief master sergeant from Hurlburt Field was presented a top-level Florida State Conference National Assocation for the Advancement of Colored People award June 10. Chief Master Sgt. Rupert Richards, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron, garnered the NAACP's top award for a military person, the NAACP Meritorious Service Award. The award is presented annually for outstanding and noteworthy efforts in implementing policies and programs which promote equal opportunity in the military. The presentation was made during the Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Awards Dinner at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla. Brig. Gen. Michael Fleming, assistant adjutant general of the Florida Army National Guard, presented Chief Richards with the award. "It's a humbling experience," Chief Richards said. "I don't believe I did anything special. I volunteered when the opportunity was available, and I have always believed in treating people, regardless of their rank or origin, the way I would like to be treated." Chief Richards currently serves as the chief of host aviation resource management for the 1st Special Operations Wing. He also serves every year as a mentor at the Airman Leadership School at Hurlburt. In the past year alone, he has mentored over 175 minority Airmen at the school. According to his award nomination, Chief Richards makes a point to continuously volunteer his time by sharing his advice and experience with the more than 500 students that graduate from the school each year, regardless of their background. Chief Richards was also invited on several occasions to be the guest speaker at the Aviation Resource Management Apprentice Course graduation. His award nomination was partly based on his effort to overcome barriers to equal opportunity in that career field, which comprises 50 to 60 percent minorities and around 50 percent women. "I never forgot how I was treated in November 1985 when I started out as an airman basic, and that's what drives my actions today," Chief Richards said. His official nomination for the award came from Col. Brad Webb, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. "Throughout his career, Chief Richards has exemplified quality leadership," Colonel Webb said. "He has demonstrated this time and again both while home-station and deployed. He is truly deserving of this award."