MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating the Air Force's Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Tech. Sgt. Paul Nardini, 22nd Air Refueling Wing command and control procedures instructor, received the spotlight performer for the week of March 13–17.
Nardini is the sole command and control procedures aircrew instructor responsible for the initial, quarterly and annual training of 306 certified active duty and reserve aircrew members assigned to the base. On an annual basis, he instructs approximately 95 classes, which averages about 780 hours of instruction. Nardini also maintains senior emergency action controller certification where he monitors and supports the base’s 53 aircraft and processes emergency action command and control directives.
“Tech. Sgt. Nardini is incapable of coming to work every single day and not giving 110 percent—it’s not in his DNA,” said Senior Master Sgt. Divina Clark, 22nd ARW Command Post superintendent. “He sincerely loves his job, the magnitude of it, instructing and getting to interact with the officer core on a daily basis. The Air Force’s number one mission here at McConnell would fail without the direct contributions and efforts of Tech. Sgt. Nardini.”
Nardini, a Cincinnati, Ohio, native, joined the Air Force in April 2002 and started working at McConnell in July 2015. Nardini has a wife, a daughter and two sons. His hobbies include working out, do-it-yourself projects and spending time with his family.
Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
The most positive influence in my life would be my my mother, because she’s the one who taught me to always give it your all and to always respect others.
If you could give advice to a new Airman, what would it be and why?
Try and find that buy-in for the mission. When you have that buy in or sense of ownership, it gives you pride in what you do and projects onto others. It strengthens not just yourself but your entire team.
What is one goal that you have already accomplished, or would like to accomplish, during your Air Force career?
I have completed two Community College of the Air Force degrees, but I am working towards a four year degree or higher.
Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way?
The most interesting place I’ve traveled to is Turkey, because it’s an amazing and beautiful country. It’s an opportunity to visit old Roman ruins and also see places that are in the Bible. When you can read verses in the Bible and say you actually stood on those very grounds, it’s pretty special.
If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet my grandparents on my father’s side. They passed away before I was born, and even though I have never met them, I have always felt a strong connection to them.