KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The White House recently recognized the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Executive Director Joseph Oder as a 2018 Air Force recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive.
"This is a highly prestigious award, which is very well deserved," said Maj. Gen. Shaun Morris, AFNWC commander. “It recognizes Joe’s exceptional accomplishments and strong commitment to public service throughout his career.”
Air Force recipients of the Presidential Rank Awards are endorsed by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, reviewed by a board of private citizens from across the country, and approved by the President.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Oder said. “It recognizes the importance of our mission and the entire team that ensures our nation’s most powerful weapons are never doubted and always feared.”
A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Oder has over 25 years of experience in nuclear weapons and counter proliferation. He has served in the Air Force and the National Nuclear Security Administration as both an officer and a civilian.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, each year the awards recognize an elite group of senior career members for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments and service over an extended period of time. One of two ranks, the Meritorious Executive rank is awarded for sustained accomplishments, with only five percent of career Senior Executive Service members receiving it.
Headquartered at Kirtland AFB, AFNWC is responsible for synchronizing all aspects of nuclear materiel management on behalf of Air Force Materiel Command, in direct support of Air Force Global Strike Command. The center has about 1,100 personnel, both military and civilian, assigned to 18 locations worldwide.
For more on Oder, visit https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/484654/joseph-m-oder/.