Reservist recognized for changing lives through volunteering Published March 14, 2011 By Airman Crystal Charriere 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Capt. Jill Stout, 419th Operations Group intelligence officer, was recently awarded the Wing Servant Leadership Award at the 419th Fighter Wing's Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet. She was recognized for volunteering in her community through AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity and her church. She has dedicated hundreds of hours at a local school, volunteering as a teacher's aide and a tutor to children from low-income families. "My whole life I've always been into serving and helping in the community," Captain Stout said. "As long as I can remember I've volunteered. It makes you feel good, it makes others feel good." Her supervisor, Capt. David Sawyer, senior intelligence officer, nominated her for the award because she went above and beyond what he has seen from others. "I knew she was volunteering in a very significant capacity, and I knew it was something that was affecting many lives," Captain Sawyer said. "When I heard 'servant leader' and 'volunteerism,' I automatically thought of Jill." Captain Sawyer said many people could learn from Jill, especially when it comes to volunteering one's time without compromising family activities or relationships. Captain Stout believes many reservists have a common link of volunteerism; otherwise, they wouldn't be in the military. "Being in the military gives you that feeling of service, and even if you haven't been involved in service before, a lot of people tend to start when they join," Captain Stout said. "Sometimes people get involved and it creates a spark that keeps them going." Her family has planted volunteerism in her roots. One year, her mother read an article about a family who chose to go without Christmas presents and give back to their community instead. In 2009 the Stouts followed suit and spent less money on gifts and volunteered to stock shelves at the Community Resource Center in Tooele. "When Christmas was over, we thought we might as well keep going because they needed help," Captain Stout said. The captain has volunteered her whole life, and she considers the Air Force Reserve a way to give back to her community and country. "Nobody forced me to do this," she said. "Habitat for Humanity and other stuff is great, and I still love to do those, but they only serve so many people. Serving your country, you can't get much bigger than that." Stay connected - Join the 419th on Facebook and YouTube.