[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 198 (Monday, December 17, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT MEGAN PARROTT

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and highlight 
the significant contributions of Megan Parrott, my 2018 Air Force 
fellow. SMSgt Megan Parrott began her fellowship in my office in 
January and immediately became an invaluable member of my staff. Her 
work as a part of my national security team has been beneficial in the 
efforts of my office to advocate and improve life for servicemembers, 
veterans, and Arkansans.
  Megan was born in Longbranch, NJ, and enlisted in the Air Force in 
1999.
  In her 19-year military career, both on Active Duty and in the 
Reserves, Megan has excelled in her work. A career maintainer, Megan 
has served as a lead technician, flying crew chief, section chief, and 
flight line production superintendent. As a testament to her 
capabilities, in February 2012, Megan was selected for a position on 
the joint staff, working for the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that position she was the 
program manager and confidential adviser on matters including joining 
forces, the Women in Service Review, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and 
personnel readiness.
  She has used her extensive experience in the Air Force and the joint 
staff to help me serve Arkansans. Throughout her tenure on my staff, 
Megan demonstrated the Air Force core values of ``Integrity First, 
Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.'' I relied upon 
Megan's input on all matters of defense and veterans' policy. Megan 
drafted legislation, recommended policy positions, staffed me at Senate 
Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings, represented me in meetings, and 
helped support my priorities during the appropriations process. She 
also assisted me in my role as a cochair of the Senate Air Force 
Caucus. Megan supported multiple congressional delegation trips to Air 
Force bases and coordinated meetings between Senators, the Secretary of 
the Air Force, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
  Megan was well versed in the subject matter and fully steeped in 
research, and she always supplemented her knowledge with insights from 
her personal experience as a senior enlisted leader in the military. In 
true senior NCO fashion, Megan made time during her year as a fellow to 
mentor junior members of my staff, providing career advice, offering 
information about executive branch functions, and talking about 
professional development opportunities.
  As the son of an Air Force master sergeant, I am especially proud to 
have hosted an enlisted fellow this year. I am only surprised that 
Megan is not yet a chief master sergeant, and I look forward to 
attending her promotion to chief in the very near future.
  Megan, thank you for all you have done for Arkansas while working on 
my staff. To her husband Chris--also an Air Force senior enlisted 
leader--and their two daughters, Natalie and Emily, I say thank you for 
sharing your amazing wife and mother with my team this year.

                          ____________________