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647th CES NCO first Diamond Sharp Award recipient

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  
Hickam first sergeants have created a new way to recognize hard working Airmen at JBPHH.

Initiated as an additional way to spotlight exceptional Airmen, the Diamond Sharp Award recognizes Airmen for a job well done.

"We recognize those who are doing an outstanding job, no matter on base or off base, and going above and beyond and really showing that they are the total Airman," Master Sgt. Jesse Horton Jr., 15th Medical Group first sergeant.

According to Horton the traditional award system can sometimes be limiting in its ability to recognize a wide variety of Airmen.

"Often times we see some people don't get recognize at all, while the same people are constantly recognized over and over," he said. "As a council we came together and decided we needed to recognize every one and make sure it's not just the same people all time."

Horton said sometimes when hard work goes unrecognized, it can be discouraging.

"Sometimes when the same person is recognized all the time, it makes others feel there is no point in doing their job as well so we have to recognize everyone," he said.

Horton said though every Airman can't technically be the top performer, they still deserve recognition for hard work, and with guidance can become top performers.

Additionally, as the Diamond Sharp Award winner will be selected on a monthly basis, the program will also be able to provide recognition more frequently than once a quarter or once a year.

Also unlike quarterly or annual awards, the Diamond Sharp Award winner will not be required to submit a 1206 or provide bullets to be selected. Each first sergeant will assess the hard work of individuals within their units and provide one name for consideration each month. The First Sergeants' Council will collectively decide who is the most deserving for that month's award.

June marked the first time the award was handed out.

Staff Sgt. Amani Phillips, 647th Civil Engineer Squadron NCOIC commanders' support staff and first award Diamond Sharp Award recipient, said she was completely surprised and honored to receive the recognition.

"I saw all the first sergeants gathering in my office but my first sergeant told me they were going to another shop, but when I realized everyone was standing there for me I was like wow," she said. "It was a lot of leadership that supported and came out to give me the award so that was an amazing thing to me."

Though the First Sergeants' Council will pick the monthly Diamond Sharp Award recipients, Horton said anyone can recommend a fellow Airman for consideration.