WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- One of Air Force Materiel Command’s finest was named to the Air Force list of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2025, with his rapid rise reflecting a commitment to excellence, mission impact, and service well beyond his rank.
Senior Airman Roman Bereguta is a current cadet-candidate at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. He earned this accolade while he was an AFMC Airman serving as a financial accounting technician with the 21st Comptroller Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
“I see my selection as not as an individual award, but as a team win,” Bereguta said. “I would never be able to accomplish this without the 21st CPTS and Task Force Grey Wolf.”
The 12 OAY award program recognizes the top 12 enlisted service members annually for their superior leadership, job performance, and personal achievements. These individuals represent the best of the Air Force from major commands and reporting units across the service.
Bereguta’s service to the Air Force has been marked by numerous accomplishments, but there are a few standout moments that solidified his place among the 12 OAY.
At Peterson SFB, he filled a role typically held by a technical sergeant as a team leader and oversaw the validation of a $4.8 billion budget that supported 23 bases. His ability to perform above his grade earned him a Senior Airman Below-the-Zone selection—a rare achievement that speaks to his leadership and dedication.
Yet, his contributions did not stop at the base. During a 189-day deployment in support of Urkraine, Bereguta served as a trilingual interpreter for senior leaders—a mission critical to both national security and international support. His operational support not only helped protect 43 million lives but also safeguarded $8 billion in assets.
As NATO Special Operations Forces’ sole linguist during the deployment, Bereguta’s role was pivotal. He translated 60 pages of classified transmissions, ensuring that sensitive operations were executed without error. His linguistic expertise was a cornerstone of the mission’s success.
A family legacy rooted in service, family
Bereguta was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the U.S in 2017 to a new home in Jacksonville, Florida. Despite not being a U.S. citizen at the time, Bereguta’s goal was to enlist as an airborne linguist—something he couldn’t pursue due to citizenship requirements. Driven by a deep desire to serve and inspired by his family’s legacy of military service, he decided to join anyway, knowing that he could make an impact wherever the Air Force needed him.
“My inspiration came from generations of my family serving in the armed forces,” Bereguta said. “I wanted to give back to the country that has given me so much.”
While many Airmen may excel in their primary duties, Bereguta’s drive to go above and beyond sets him apart. One example occurred at Peterson SFB, where the augmentee program tasked first-term Airmen with additional duties, including long shifts guarding the gates with no break for meals. Bereguta noticed these Airmen were not receiving Basic Allowance for Subsistence despite not being able to utilize the dining facility during operating hours, resulting in service members having to spend their own money to procure food when they had a chance.
Taking the initiative, he worked with installation and security forces leadership to implement a new standard, ensuring that Airmen received BAS entitlements. As a result, $25,000 in BAS was reimbursed to Airmen who had already completed the program, and a new Standard Operating Procedure was established across three installations.
“Seeing the outcomes of my actions and how much I can affect the mission pushes me every day,” Bereguta said, reflecting on his motivation.
Bereguta credits much of his success to the support and mentorship he received from a strong team of senior enlisted leadership. Their guidance provided him with opportunities to take charge and lead, while helping him stay focused on his goals.
“It meant a lot to me when I was selected for this award because it was something I had been working towards all year,” he reflected. “My supervisor laid out tasks that wouldn’t guarantee the win but would definitely boost my chances.”
Outside of his duties, Bereguta is deeply involved in a variety of activities. When he’s not working, he enjoys staying active through soccer, tennis, chess, and working on his car. His strong work ethic extends beyond his career, where he continuously pushes himself to be the best at whatever he does. He also values his Ukrainian heritage and remains connected to it, even finding time to engage in activities like competitive wrestling, where he placed third in the Ukrainian National Championship before coming to the U.S.
“My core value is putting maximum effort into everything I do,” Bereguta said. “Whether it’s in uniform or outside of it, I strive to give my best.”
Looking forward, Bereguta has ambitious goals. He hopes to eventually become a fighter pilot and serve for as long as he can contribute to the mission. His early career suggests that whatever path he takes, he will continue to excel and inspire others along the way.
“Every Airman plays a role in the mission,” Bereguta said. “Look at your daily duties and see how your actions affect the big picture. It all matters.”