'Diamond sharp - rock solid' student describes First Sergeants Academy

Published May 29, 2009
By Master Sgt. Michael Diaz
Air Force First Sergeants Academy student

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Editor's note: The following is the second of a four-part series highlighting the experiences of Master Sgt. Michael Diaz, a student at the Air Force First Sergeants Academy.

The second week started a bit earlier than normal. Since we are scheduled to graduate on Thursday versus Friday, our first week actually ended on Saturday giving us only one day to decompress. With only a few more hurdles to clear next week, the second week is finished and we are able to see a glimmer of light. The one looming concern is the test on Wednesday. Between the study groups and individual study sessions, there seems to be an air of controlled anxiety. However, I believe Class 09B will prove to be "Diamond Sharp - Rock Solid" (class chant). One of the many duties of a First Sergeant is counseling. With a three-hour block of Counseling Confrontation and Mediation, we are now prepared to handle the upcoming scenarios ... so we thought. Of course there is always going to be a twist. However, we all survived with very few scars. The rest of the week's courses spanned from our component classes of Air National Guard Administrative Reprimands, Referral Agencies, Demotions, and Separations to our Total Force classes of Sexual Assault Awareness Reporting and legal, legal, legal. Ten hours of Introduction to the Manual of Courts Marshal, Inspections, Searches, Apprehension and Pretrial Restraint along with a briefing from Legal School and another briefing on Non-judicial Punishments and the Article 15 process. Keeping all of this in mind, the NJP is a rehabilitative tool, with the idea of getting the wrong way Airman back on the straight and narrow. With many varied experiences being discussed throughout the classes and sidebar discussions during breaks, the one thing holds true - not every situation can be treated the same. The week's highlight was a trip to the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall; "... dedicated to preserving the rich and dramatic heritage and tradition of the enlisted corps of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Aeronautical Division, Air Service, Air Corps and Air Forces in the development of air power to defend the United States." Knowing that the majority of displays were dedicated to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice, a solemn feeling came over me as I entered the EHH. After a few minutes of viewing, a self-realization happened - even though many died, this was also a celebration of accomplishments of our air pioneers.