Court reporter receives award Published April 22, 2011 By John Cochran 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- A civilian employee of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center has received the 2010 Harold R. Vague Award as the outstanding Air Force Materiel Command legal service civilian of the year. Court reporter Crystal D. Franco was selected based on demonstrated excellence, initiative, attorney/paralegal teaming and devotion to duty, according to the nomination package. She was previously named the 2010 AFNWC Civilian of the Year for Category II, GS-9 to GS-11. Col. William Gampel, AFNWC Judge Advocate, described Ms. Franco as strongly deserving of the recognition. "As both a legal service civilian employee and a reserve paralegal, this long-time member of the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps is a consummate professional who daily personifies the qualities that represent the Harold R. Vague Award." Highlights of Ms. Franco's achievements include the following statements from the nomination: Extraordinary court reporter - fast and accurate; indispensable to rapid completion of courts/boards/other actions Flawlessly recorded two-day litigated trial; transcribed record in super fast seven days with /no errors - beat Air Force metric Sought after by other bases - went TDY to four bases - enabled them to quickly move their courts and meet Air Force metrics Recorded/transcribed 327-page general court-martial for another base in just 12 days - pulverized Air Force 18-day metric Recorded and transcribed trial at another base in stunning 2.5 days - smashed 18-day metric and facilitated swift justice Downloaded/transcribed 115-page audio recording for another base, freeing their reporter for another priority Recorded/transcribed 95-page administrative discharge board in two just days - critical to fast discharge of felon Transcribed two interviews - 9.5 hours of audio totaling 188 pages - greatly facilitated investigating officer's timely completion of report Pursued medical transcription certificate to broaden skill set; completed additional tests and maintained a 98 percent average Trained two military paralegals on court-reporting to enhance reporting capability Conducted court-martial dry-run to train inexperienced JAGs ... enhanced confidence and improved performance Trained two 3-levels and numerous new JAGs on military justice processes Supported KAFB's Legal Assistance Program ... aided attorneys in 75 will executions, including many for deployers When Air Force Safety Center legal office suddenly lost its FOIA manager/paralegal, she immediately volunteered to help ... dove into more than 100 FOIA backlog ... ensured statutory timelines met Volunteered to go to member's home to provide critical notary services; spouse's illness confined both to house Provided notary guidance to two members ... coordinated issue with court in another state ... saved members time and money Embraced extra duties ... primary timekeeper for 13 civilian employees; office alarm tester; took care of mementos for JA's departing personnel; flawlessly organized retirement ceremony for JAG reservist.