Command Post Airman earns Below-the-Zone Promotion

Photo By Senior Airman Parker McCauley | The 509th Bomb Wing Command Post Staff pose for a photo in recognition of Airman 1st Class Shantavia A. Webb, a controller with the 509th Bomb Wing Command Post earning Senior Airman Below the Zone on December 12, 2018 at the Command Post on Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Webb credits her leadership for all the support they’ve given her that has allowed her to earn BTZ. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Parker J. McCauley)  

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, UNITED STATES

12.20.2018

Story by Airman Parker McCauley 

509th Bomb Wing

An Airman with the 509th Bomb Wing Command Post (CP) at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, earned Senior Airman Below the Zone on Dec. 12, 2018.
Senior Airman Below the Zone, or BTZ, is a program that allows those with the rank of airmen to promote to senior airmen six months early. The program is in place for Airmen who are performing above their rank and gives approximately 15 percent of Airmen the early promotion.
CP members and leadership from the wing staff surprised Airman 1st Class Shantavia A. Webb with the announcement that she had been selected. After learning about her promotion, Webb said she was overwhelmed with happiness and was incredibly appreciative.
Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Caldwell Jr., the superintendent of Nuclear Command and Control Operations with the 509th BW CP, said Webb competed with four other Airmen from the unit.
Webb credited her leadership with playing a major role in her achieving BTZ. She said her supervisor pushed her professionally since her arrival at Whiteman AFB and had her keep a bullet tracker for her superintendent and supervisor to help them monitor her progress.
“She’s a very hard worker, of course fairly new to the Air Force, she is a single mom of two boys and she’s a shift worker and I never have any issues with worrying about if Airman Webb will make her shift,” said Caldwell. “She's always an Airman I can depend on and I never have any issues with her, whether it’s on duty or off. She’s a great asset to the team.”
Her package for BTZ highlighted her roles in CP and the mission.
“She decoded and validated 3,000 emergency action messages,” said Caldwell. “She ensured the direct nuclear command and control for U.S. national security strategy, guaranteeing nuclear deterrence,” Caldwell said.
Additionally, Caldwell said Webb performed exemplary command and control during an exercise.
Webb is scheduled to be promoted to Senior Airman on Jan. 31, 2019.
“My mom and dad were the first people I wanted to call and tell because my mom had been tracking that I had been going up for this and she kept encouraging me and telling me I was gonna get it,” Webb said. “My family is very supportive, I also have a brother that lives here with me to help out with my children so he was like the third person I had to let know. But I definitely have a really good support system here and back home.”
Webb has served in the Air Force for two years.
“I joined pretty much for a better life for myself and my children,” said Webb. “I have two boys and I just wanted to be able to provide for them, give them stability. I just know the Air Force will take me far.”
Webb’s advice to her fellow Airmen: “Work hard, make sure you keep track of your (professional) bullets, that is very important,” she said. “Keep your supervisor in the loop, make sure that you’re going above and beyond or you’re doing things outside of work because you need to shine and know your job.”
Webb emphasized the importance of persevering despite what other people might say.
“Don't let anyone discourage you, don’t let anyone feed you negative energy or give you any kind of bad thoughts or think that you won’t be able to get something because you can do something once you put your mind to it,” Webb said.

• Date Taken: 12.20.2018
• Date Posted: 12.20.2018 14:06
• Story ID: 304609
• Location: WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MO, US