NATCHEZ — Maybe it’s that he’s a Southern gentleman or it could be the way his mother raised him, either way manners and diligence have taken Cory Mills a long way.

Mills joined the Air Force almost two and a half years ago, going through basic training first, followed by six months of technical training to become an aircraft mechanic for F-16s.

Shortly after, he was sent to a base in Germany.

From there, he was deployed to an airbase in Balad, Iraq where he stayed from September 2007 to February 2008.

Born and raised in Monterey, only 24 years old and in the beginning stages of his six-year tour of duty, Mills has been awarded The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, Tuskegee Airman of the Week and Airman of the Year.

He also saved the Air Force $52,000 by finding a faulty hydraulic pressure indicator on a jet, scored the highest on his Career Development Course test and was promoted to senior airman six months early.

Proud yet humble, Mills said he is pleased to have won the Tuskegee Airman of the Week and Airman of the Year.

“It took me by surprise, it’s a very significant award,” Mills said of the Tuskegee award.

Selected from 8,000 people, Mills said this award, and for the others, are based on going above and beyond the call of duty.

But to top it off, Mills is a high school tutor on his military base in Germany, he donates blood platelets in Iraq and he’s a frequent volunteer for the Airmen Against Drunk Driving — a volunteer organization to prevent drunk driving accidents.

He said he also routinely volunteers to work weekends and holidays, allowing his fellow airmen to spend time with their families.

His mother Missy Gilliat smiled on with pride as he spoke of his volunteer work.

“He’s a good hearted country boy,” Gilliat said.

Mills attributes his giving nature to his mother.

“I was obviously raised very well,” he said.

Work ethic is another driving force he said, but there’s more.

“I don’t want to settle for second best,” Mills said.

Gilliat said Mills’ excellence is easily recognized by others.

At his graduation from basic training, his teaching instructor approached Gilliat.

“She said she had never encountered such a respectful young man,” she said.

Gilliat said he’s just always gone the extra mile.

“He tries to keep your spirits high even when his are down,” she said.

As far as his time spent in Iraq, he said it was relatively mild.

“It’s not as bad as CNN and other people perceive it to be,” Mills said. “It’s pretty tame.”

This did not keep his mother from feeling anxious about his deployment.

“That’s an understatement,” Gilliat said. “Any mother would be.”

She kept her faith though.

“I prayed for him every day, I prayed for all of them,” Gilliat said. “I knew he was strong enough.”

Heralding from a long line of rich military heritage, Mills maternal grandfather was on the island of Iwo Jima when the American flag was raised, one of the most prominent images that depicts World War II.

“I always knew I was going to join (the military) eventually,” Mills said.

What branch he was going to join was never questioned, either.

“He’s always been partial to the Air Force,” Gilliat said.

On the eve of his return to Germany, Mills said he’ll be at the Germany base for six more months before he’s transferred to a base in the states.

With plans to make the military his career, Mills said he plans to re-enlist after his tour is up and maybe one day be a pilot.

For Mills, every day in the military is rewarding.

“I work with the best people, I work with the best aircraft, I know my family supports me back home,” Mills said. “It all comes together.

“I love waking up in the morning knowing I’m doing something significant.”