Award winner from AFSEC grateful for opportunity

  • Published
  • By Ryan Stark
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  When Christopher Gitto of the Air Force Safety Center started out as a civilian personnel records staffer in 1983, he couldn't have envisioned the Air Force career of more than 30 years that lay ahead.

And now, the AFSC technical information specialist can attach the words "award-winning" to his job title. He recently won of the Department of Defense Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award.

Gitto has osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes bones to be fragile and prone to fracturing, usually due to a collagen deficiency. He said it's  something that hasn't held him back, though.

"It's just physical," Gitto said. "It doesn't affect you emotionally or affect your capacity to learn."

The service-wide award, presented to Gitto in July, honors disabled civilian and military armed forces members.

The award citation says Gitto, "is widely recognized as an advocate for the Air Force and a mentor for people with disabilities. ... His diligence on the job despite his disability is an inspiration to the entire AFSEC. The distinctive accomplishments
of Mr. Gitto reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

At the AFSEC, Gitto provides assistance and helps manage the Air Force's automated mishap reporting system. He fields requests for help from across the service.

In the early '80s, Gitto was part of a civilian volunteer program for the Air Force as a student at Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute, which is now Central New
Mexico Community College.

"I'm blessed for as far as I've gotten in my career," he said. "I would have never have thought I'd have gotten this far or that I'd ever receive an award like this."

The honor should be viewed as a team award, Gitto said.

"I'd like to thank my family of employees," he said. "With their help, it's as much their award."