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Symposium sharpens potential diamonds

  • Published
  • By Douglas Hays
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Grissom hosted a first sergeant symposium here March 2-4 to help those with the additional duty better understand their roles, and perhaps someday make the full-time transition to a diamond wearer.

Thirty-five Airmen from seven Air Force wings all gathered here to hone the skills needed to be a diamond wearer and a commander's conduit to their troops.

Tech. Sgt. Marcia Webber, a munitions technician with the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana, was among those who attended the symposium. While she is an additional duty first sergeant currently, she has aspirations of applying for a full-time position in the future.

"What I've gained from this symposium is the knowledge I need to find the answers that both help Airmen and protect the commander," Webber said. "This gives me what I need to help maintain the mission."

The symposium curriculum is developed and maintained by the first sergeant academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

"It serves as an opportunity for members to not only gain a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a first sergeant, but it also gives them the tools needed to augment their unit's first sergeant," said Chief Master Sgt. Rob Herman, 434th Air
Refueling Wing command .

One current first sergeant saw the benefits of the symposium right away.

"We had two participants who just returned from a deployment," said Senior Master Sgt. Doug Dye, 122nd FW first sergeant and one of the course facilitators. "With the Guard and Reserve working together here, it will help to understand the language used in a total force environment."

The course gave attendees an overview to the position of first sergeant before doing a deeper dive into duties such as fitness, family care, promotions, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, Articles 15 and commander's options.

"Attendees got a peek behind the curtain at the first sergeant duty, educating members on the amazing opportunities in the special duty assignment," Herman said.
Commanders at all levels rely on first sergeants.

"The first sergeant is a critical component of every organization," said Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th ARW commander. "It was gratifying to watch people interact with each other and learn from each other. The common ground is that whether a Guardsman or Reservist, we are all Airmen and we have a strong desire to help others and be positive wingmen."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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