Capt. Damarces Sharkey: 194th Wing CGO of the Year

Photo By Senior Airman Mckenzie Airhart | Capt. Damarces Sharkey, a flight commander in the Washington Air National Guard’s 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, was selected as the 194th Wing Company Grade Officer of the year for 2018.  

CAMP MURRAY, WA, UNITED STATES

02.06.2019

Story by Tech. Sgt. Seth Bleuer 

194th Wing

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Capt. Damarces Sharkey, a flight commander in the Washington Air National Guard’s 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, was selected as the 194th Wing Company Grade Officer of the year for 2018.

For Sharkey, serving in the Air Force uniform is a family tradition. Sharkey grew up in an Air Force family and associates the military with some of his fondest childhood memories. “At a young age, I was exposed to the camaraderie, diversity, and structure of the military – it shaped me into the man I am today,” said Sharkey. “When I was finally of age, joining was my way of giving back to an organization that helped mold me into the man I am proud to be.”

While reflecting on his career in the Air Force thus far, the one thing that stands out above everything else is the mentorship he’s received. “My mentors have helped to keep me motivated, encouraged, and they challenge me to be better. I’ve met great leaders outside of the military, but the most impactful have been the members I’ve served with,” Sharkey said.

On being named the 194th Wing Company Grade Officer of the year, Sharkey said, “Being selected for this award is very humbling. I am honored to accept this award and present it to the members who made it possible – my flight. A goal cannot be achieved without vision and execution, and my flight brings the execution piece to every drill. They put their trust in me, and I in them. They motivate me to be the best officer I can be. This award is a direct reflection of their hard work.”

In his civilian career, Sharkey works as for the Defense Contract Management Agency, as a Quality Assurance Specialist. He develops surveillance strategies that assess and validate a government contractor’s capability to successfully manufacture products according to international, aerospace, and other techincal requirements specified within their contracts. He currently provides surveillance over many products used by warfighters, such as body armor, aeropsace components, STRYKER vehicles, and missle systems.

Sharkey currently lives in Puyallup, Washington. Coming from a military family, Sharkey laughs when asked where he’s from. It’s hard to nail down a hometown. “I would say the two places I’ve always thought of as home are McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey and Tampa, Florida.”

• Date Taken: 02.06.2019
• Date Posted: 02.08.2019 01:32
• Story ID: 309776
• Location: CAMP MURRAY, WA, US
• Hometown: MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ, US
• Hometown: PUYALLUP, WA, US
• Hometown: TAMPA, FL, US