McLaughlin Air National Guard Member Receives Prestigious John L. Levitow Award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rachel L. Hughey
  • 130th AW
Charleston, W.Va. --  Senior Airman Jeremiah Jones from the 130th Airlift Wing Civil Engineering Squadron, McLaughlin Air National Guard, received the John L. Levitow award February 11th, 2016 at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

This prestigious award is the highest honor presented to a graduate of Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education (PME).  Consideration for this award is based on peer points, instructor points, and academic record.  At the beginning of the course instructors explained all the possible awards that are presented at the closing ceremony, with the Levitow award being the highest.  Throughout the course he was striving to be a Distinguished Graduate. 

"I thought I might have a shot at the Levitow award at the halfway point of the course based on my ranking."  Jones said.    

Jones explained that guard members only have five seats in a class of 55.  After they announced he was the winner he said he was very proud of this accomplishment and to represent McLaughlin Air National Guard Base at the 130th Airlift Wing.

Jones has very humble beginnings, which he feels is the basis for his strong work ethic.  His mother and father have been married for 37 years, and Jones is the third of 16 children. 

"My dad worked hard to make ends meet.  We lived on a farm to be more self-sufficient with cows, chickens, and an orchard.  I'm grateful my dad instilled a lot of good values in me." Jones said.  He also has 10 years of experience working in correctional facilities. Jones has worked with individuals that do not want to follow the rules as well as train and supervise others to deescalate situations quickly. At the 130th Airlift Wing, Jones works for the Civil Engineering Squadron to maintain water and fuel systems on base. 

He said, "The guard has benefits that you cannot find anywhere else; it gives you good life experiences as well as an appreciation for serving others."
Jones lives in Winfield with his wife Sarah and their daughter Sallon.