2019 JRM Junior Service Member of the Year Published Oct. 5, 2020 By Senior Airman Amir Young Andersen Air Force Base, Guam -- The Joint Region Marianas Service Member of the Year award is something awarded to military members who not only go above and beyond in their career fields, but are also an active representation of what it means to be a military member. Each of these things holds true for this year's winner, Senior Airman Ell-ie Vonkahle. The 36th Wing nominated Vonkahle as the JRM Junior Service Member of the Year for 2019 and was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal by Rear Adm. John Menoni for her outstanding performance in the community as well as her work in the 36th Munitions Squadron. “I didn't even know I was nominated,” said Vonkahle, “I was only told what was happening when I was told that I had a board to go to. I thought it was really awesome that my leadership thought that I was good enough for something like this and even had a chance of winning” Vonkahle sees this level of success as more of a group achievement than an individual one. “For me as an Airman, it's a good feeling to know that your supervision is pushing for you to better yourself,” said Vonkahle “A squadron is only as good as its leadership and its Airmen. It’s the leadership that makes the Airmen excited to come into work every day and work hard to win awards like these. Being named the Junior Service Member of the Year for 2019 isn't the end for her. Vonkahle aims to use this as a stepping stone to go even further in her career. “My big goal is to make a career out of my time in the Air Force and to make Chief Master Sergeant,” she said. “Hopefully one day I can be the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and teach other young Airmen the things that I’ve learned.”