Spirit award aimed at unit cohesion, pride

  • Published
  • By Airman Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
Malmstrom implemented a new award at the most recent quarterly awards ceremony Oct. 27 - the Spirit Award. 

The Spirit Award is a wooden trophy with a carving of a grizzly bear on the top. Winners are tasked with coming up with something to represent their unit to add to the award each quarter. Every three months, it will be re-awarded to the unit showing the most spirit throughout that quarter at every Quarterly Awards Ceremony. 

Master Sgt. Charles Meyer, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, brought the idea to Chief Master Sgt. Robert Moore, 341st Space Wing command chief, a few months ago. They had both seen Spirit Awards at bases they had previously been assigned to. 

"I've seen additions such as Security Forces badges to tools from maintenance to medical patches," said Chief Moore. "If I were to be the first winner, I'd have a cast iron base made to make it tall. I'd envision 10 years from now, it will be 10 feet high and 300 pounds." 

Winners should just add something to distinguish their specific unit which could include badges and coins, said Chief Moore. The only rules are nothing can be taken away from the trophy and nothing can be destroyed. 

The first winners of the Spirit Award, the 341st Operations Group, won based on a variety of things, including hosting a fun run, the Line Swine competition with a mascot, a movie night, CRUD tournaments and a spouse's orientation. They didn't win because of their cheers, Chief Moore said, because spirit is more than just cheering. 

Col. Sandy Finan, 341st Space Wing commander, said she hopes the trophy will help bring a sense of unit cohesion, pride and rivalry to be the best unit at Malmstrom.
Colonel Finan hopes to see the same wrenches, bedpans and guidons that were present at the last Quarterly Awards Ceremony, and she expects to see a lot more to go along with that, including some rivalry and jeering between units. 

"My goal is to build teamwork, pride and spirit," Colonel Finan said. "This trophy should carry a matter of pride and ownership in the units and a drive to be the best."