Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Moore of the 627th Force Support Squadron's Honor Guard at McChord Field never thought she'd be nominated for anything special when she accepted the special duty assignment two years ago.

However, in Dec. 2011, Moore was nominated for the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year award.

"This is such an honor," said Moore, a 12-year veteran of the Air Force. "Already it's a pretty huge deal to be nominated at the command level."

She is currently competing with 15 other Air Force personnel across the force for the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year Award for 2011. Later this year in Jackson, Fla., the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) will announce the recipient of the year at its ceremony.

"I didn't do this by myself," Moore said. "I have a stellar team that worked hard and came together. It's the team award and not mine - my name is on it, but they made it happen. I couldn't have done it without their support."

The technical sergeant role with the Honor Guard is a special duty assignment for two years - Moore is currently serving her third and final year in the unit. The unit fulfills and processes funeral requests and color guard requests, including requests for funeral flyover entitlements for qualified military personnel.

"We get eight to ten requests a year," she said. "I get a deep-seated satisfaction knowing that our team provided great service and we honored the fallen that have gone before and provided closure for our Air Force family."

Moore has also won several awards in her career, including the 2011 NCO of the Year for the 627th Force Support Squadron at McChord Field, and the 2008 NCO of the Year award for the 325th Maintenance Squadron and the 2001 Airman of the Year award for the 412th Maintenance Group at her previous bases.

But these accomplishment weren't handed to the 31-year old mother of two and military spouse. Moore has a 1-year-old son, Karl, and a 2 1/2-year-old Melanie, and is the spouse of 23-year veteran and Master Sgt. Moore of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at McChord.

"It's a challenge being a military family with young kids," she said. "Some days are easier than others. You manage and you go, that's how it is sometimes. It all comes down to schedules and routines and dealing with challenges as they come."

Her determination and perseverance came from being told no too often.

"I was told I couldn't join the Air Force because I was anemic," she said. "Then I couldn't submit my commissioning package because I didn't score high enough on my officer's qualification test - I missed by two points. Then I couldn't be part of the Air Force Thunderbirds Arial Demonstration Squadron. I took those challenges and adapted, and that's what I try to pass on as a leader - there isn't any one path to follow to succeed. You have to come into your own but you can overcome and be successful."