12/29/2016 --
A pile of scattered papers on the desk of the director of personnel for the Force Support Squadron here, is all an outsider sees into Capt. Renee G. Rausch’s busy work day.
Rausch, a native of Humeston, Iowa, joined the Air Force more than 20 years ago to obtain structure and discipline in her life. Now a mother of three, Rausch works tirelessly on base and in her community off base.
Rausch was recently awarded the Officer of the Year Award in November for her long list of accomplishments on the base, including planning of the 75th Anniversary, organizing a send-off of 60 Army National Guard soldiers and a Kosovo staff visit.
“I make sure that our daily operations run smoothly and I take care of issues and problems from higher levels,” said Rausch.
In her community Rausch teaches a sixth grade Freedom for Youth Bible Study, volunteers at the Animal Rescue League with her daughter and serves meals through the Central Iowa Shelter & Services.
Rausch said that she loves working with some of the most hard-working people she’s ever met and that next to God and her family, they are one of the reasons she stays so motivated.
While Rausch said she doesn’t like to have a set plan for her future, she knows that she will continue to help those around her.
“My mission is to make sure that the people that I’m in charge of are taken care of,” said Rausch. “And whether I become colonel doing that or I stay at captain it doesn’t matter to me because I’m doing what I’m supposed to at that moment.”
While she didn’t expect the nomination or award for Officer of the Year, Rausch said that she hopes that the work she’s done has made an impact on the base and the Airmen.