JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND –
During May, the following individuals were recognized by a Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland first sergeant with a Diamond Sharp Award. The Diamond Sharp Award is sponsored by the Joint Base San Antonio First Sergeants Council and recognizes outstanding Airmen who continually exceed the standard to meet the Air Force mission. Airmen are recognized monthly by the council with an award and remarks on their stellar performance from their first sergeant.
Rank/Name: Tech. Sgt. Andrea C. Nazario
Unit: Robert D. Gaylor Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Duty Title:Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor
Time in service: 14 Years
Hometown: Denison, Texas
Tech. Sgt. Nazario is assigned to the Robert D. Gaylor Noncommissioned Officer Academy as an enlisted professional military education instructor and flawlessly facilitates 198 hours of deliberate enlisted development at the Air Force’s largest noncommissioned officer academy. She has innovated new processes that have standardized the evaluation and development of the instructor cadre, enhancing the experience for 1,400 students annually. She directed a $6,500 private organization budget allowing for $1,000 to be returned to Joint Base San Antonio Airmen in scholarships for advancing their education.
Rank/Name: Staff Sgt. Vincent Scott
Unit: 343rd Training Squadron
Duty title: Security Forces Apprentice Course Instructor
Time in service: 8 years
Hometown: Marion, Ind.
Staff Sgt. Scott has accumulated 2,900 teaching hours resulting in a CIC level II certification; and has awarded more than 9,000 Community College of the Air Force hours to four-hundred Airmen a year. Scott constructed the Security Forces Apprentice Course logistics tracker which accurately accounted for more than $20,000 of combatives equipment and gear.
Rank/Name: Tech. Sgt. Michael P. Thomas
Unit: 25th Air Force
Duty title: Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge, Command Presentations
Time in service: 14 years, 3 months
Hometown: Newark, Ohio
As the NCOIC of the 25th Air Force Commander’s Action Group, Tech. Sgt. Thomas oversees nearly $750,000 in communications equipment, and has been vital to the 25th AF Commander’s efforts to build partnerships across the Department of Defense and within the local community. He harmonized nearly a dozen offices across three bases to host 100 members the Air Force Scientific Advisory board, a group hand-picked by the Secretary of the Air Force to build the Air Force of tomorrow.
Rank/Name: Senior Airman Einer S. Cardenas
Unit: Gastroenterology Clinic
Duty title: GI Medical Technician
Time in service: 5 Years
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
During a transitional period, without hesitation, he took charge of the Gastroenterology Clinic as the acting noncommissioned officer in charge for three months. Senior Airman Cardenas was the “go-to” technician for all GI questions, during and after his stint as section NCOIC. During The Joint Commission Airman Cardenas was honored as a “superior performer” and was hand selected as the subject matter expert to demonstrate the proper techniques on cleaning and handling of scope equipment, which was soon followed by his selection to travel on a temporary duty assignment to speak as the group representative on the patient experience.
Rank/Name: Airman 1st Class Yussel C. Padilla
Unit: 625 ACOMS
Duty title: Client Systems Technician
Time in service: 10 months
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Airman 1st Class Yusell Padilla went above the call of duty assisting a civilian whom had accidentally vacated a moving vehicle one evening on his way home. Without hesitation, A1C Padilla stopped his car, grabbed a blanket and provided immediate first aid. He elevated the civilian’s head which had impacted the asphalt and rolled him to the side to prevent him from further choking on blood. In the midst of all this, he called 911 for immediate attention to be provided to the civilian. Upon arrival he provided the appropriate information and left his care to the officials. Within the work center he takes it upon himself to take the initiative and actively seeks out knowledge, training and work.
Rank/Name: Senior Airman Shontinique L. Kay
Unit: 93rd Intelligence Squadron
Duty title: Cryptologic Language Analyst
Time in service: 4 Years, 11 months
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
During a period of minimal manning, Senior Airman Kay stepped up as interim branch lead to ensure mission continuity while also serving as lead Russian language analyst and performing quality control for more than 30 foreign language transcripts across two sections consisting of 40 analysts. She created a strategy for sustained operations against over 300 international law enforcement high value targets. In addition to her primary responsibilities, she served as flight language representative, ensuring proper language maintenance for 50 linguists.
Rank/Name: Staff Sgt. Elaine M. Thompson
Unit: 433rd TRS
Duty title: NCOIC, Commander Support Staff
Time in service: 8 years, 4 Months
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Staff Sgt. Elaine Thompson has developed new programs for incoming unit personnel and administration staff leading to flawless assimilation and increased productivity for the unit. She created new Task Management Tool guidelines and taskers, resulting in the successful on-boarding of a new member in time to do turn-over with the sudden departure of another CSS staff member and prepare the hiring package for yet another new member to ensure an expedient transfer for her.