Making the cut for a diamond

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Colby L. Hardin
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell's first shirts put together a symposium for senior NCO's and experienced technical sergeants, from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3.

The symposium covered the duties and responsibilities of being a first sergeant. The attendees received authorization  to fill in as a first sergeant temporarily if required by a unit.

Current first sergeants from around base provided insight on what wearing the diamond is really like.

"Everyone knows what an Article 15 is," said Master Sgt. Jamie Sparks, 22nd Operations Support Squadron first sergeant. "They might not know what the conversations are like with the commander behind closed doors."

Technical and master sergeants who were viewed as ready to take on first sergeant responsibilities were selected by their unit leadership.

"When they leave here hopefully they have more confidence to do their job," added Sparks. "Enough not to only be a strong senior NCO, but to be a stronger leader in their squadrons."

Students were briefed by various base agencies to get an idea of how they would work hand in hand as first sergeants, and how it differs from working with them as just senior NCOs.

"I've had the chance of shadowing my first sergeant because he knows I'm actively trying to become one," said Tech. Sgt. Laura Johnson, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron command section NCO in-charge. "But coming here, I realized that you don't really get everything that's going on until you actually become a first sergeant."

Johnson says that the class isn't all about paperwork and disciplinary practice.

"The first sergeants came in and they told stories about situations that were brought to them and how they handled them,"  she added. "I'm learning that there are more than just a few ways to handle every situation. Even if it's not what I would have thought was correct, it doesn't make it wrong."

Going through the class and learning about all of the duties required to wear a diamond may repel some, but not Johnson.

"I like to know that I had a hand in helping someone out, as little as it can be," she e said. "It's going to be interesting, and I'm looking forward to it."