WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.-- Every month, the 442d First Sergeant Council plans to recognize an Airman that embodies the core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.
First Sergeant Councils across the Air Force run the Diamond Sharp award program including in deployed locations; however, this is the first time in several years that the wing has given out a monthly award.
During the September drill, Master Sgt. Vanessa Dorman, a dental assistant with the 442d Medical Squadron, received the award from the council for her professionalism and dedication to improve the records program.
“She totally didn’t expect it,” said Master Sgt. Jessica Cable, the 442d Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant, about presenting Dorman the award. “We went over to her workplace and presented it in front of all of her peers. We read off what her leadership wrote about her, and it was just really nice to recognize her.”
Anybody and everybody can submit for this award, said Cable.
Nominating someone for this award can be as simple as emailing a few sentences about the Airman to your first sergeant, said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Harris, the 442d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant.
“It’s a pretty special deal,” Harris said. “It shows excellence, not just in your job, but in everything. We’re concentrating on what individuals do versus how well their supervisor can write it down.”
A nomination simply requires a short narrative about what the person did—no bullet format needed, said Harris. The Airman’s accomplishments should fall within 60 days of nomination and should highlight how the person upholds the whole Airman concept.
The council requests names to be submitted to any 442d first sergeant by 10 a.m. on the Friday before drill.
“They can be recognized right then and there that month,” Cable said. “We aren’t waiting for months to know who won like a quarterly award.”
Award winners receive a coin, a certificate and a wooden plaque.
The Diamond Sharp award expeditiously recognizes Airmen on a more frequent schedule than other awards and is another way the council aims to boost morale.