FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
This year's U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School civilian Instructor of the Year has made his mark with 23 years of combined military and civilian service as an aviation mechanic and instructor.
After competing for the second time in two years, retired Army veteran Nolan Billiot was selected as USAALS civilian Instructor of the Year.
The IOY civilian category is selected by master evaluators from the USAALS Quality Assurance Office. The team evaluates the four current fiscal year Instructor of the Quarter winners in the civilian category.
"I was totally elated when I found out I'd won," Billiot said. "Being recognized by USAALS as civilian IOY is one of my many rewarding experiences."
Billiot instructs the 15K-40 Senior Leadership Course, 151-A Maintenance Warrant Officer Course and the Individual Readiness Reserve Course. Each day Billiot works countless hours to ensure his classes are prepared.
"Working with these students and being able to get them to understand what we we're trying to teach them, and seeing that light come on in their head is one of many rewarding experiences I've had as an instructor at USAALS," Billiot said. "I tell my students to take their knowledge and share it with their subordinates by teaching them everything they know because they won't be around forever, someone needs to be able to do their job."
With a myriad of experience, training and expertise, Billiot continues to leave a proud legacy at USAALS.
Billiot said he tries to install the "train the trainer" and "train the way we fight and fight the way we train" concepts.
According to Billiot, there must be a fully capable Army with young Soldiers that can think on their feet and make a decision in the absence of orders or a supervisor.
"These are our future leaders and I want to give them the necessary tools they need so that they can perform their jobs," he said. "My job here at USAALS means everything to me. I feel that it has made me what I am today. It makes me proud to have served and even prouder to still be serving."
He added that he hopes to stay at USAALS and influence as many of the best aviation supervisors as possible before he decides to retire.
Billiot will represent USAALS in the upcoming U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Instructor of the Year competition.