Unit gets 'diamond in the rough' Published Jan. 22, 2007 By Senior Airman Mark Orders-Woepner 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind -- Just as a diamond undergoes a long and difficult process while becoming a gem, passing through pressure and stress, and being cut, polished and refined, so must those who call themselves first sergeants. Master Sgt. Kevin Smith, who was recently selected as the 434th Mission Support Flight first sergeant, will undergo his polishing at the First Sergeant's Academy, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., this month. Sergeant Smith comes from a family with an Air Force heritage, which is why he joined the Air Force Reserve almost 22 years ago. "My dad served on active duty in the Air Force for 26 years, so I have lived on many bases and have grown up with a love for my country and a love for the military, and I have a high respect for those individuals who also serve in any branch of the armed forces," said Sergeant Smith. "For me, the Air Force has been a way of life and one of my passions." Before his selection as first shirt, Sergeant Smith, a Kokomo, Ind., native, had been a logistics management specialist for eight years. During that time, his responsibilities included preparing troops for deployments and re-deployments, monitoring deployed personnel and cargo, reviewing planning documents and assisting with bed-down of combat forces. After his time in logistics, Sergeant Smith said he was looking for a new challenge that dealt with his enjoyment of being around people and helping the resolve their issues. Seeing what capabilities a first sergeant had to help others, Sergeant Smith said he jumped on the position. When asked about his new position, he said first sergeants act as the liaison between the enlisted force and the commander. He added he is proud to fill this role for this 434th MSF and takes his new job very seriously. "I feel I am here to help others as the need arises," he said. "This is definitely a role I feel is very important and one I hold in high regard; I want to be there for others and will give 100 percent to the unit." Sergeant Smith and his wife Julie, have two children, Kyle and Sarah. In the civilian world, he is an electronics technician for a company in Kokomo. Looking ahead to his polishing at the First Sergeant Academy, Sergeant Smith said that he is looking forward to the challenge it will provide. "I know that I will come away with an increased knowledge base in regards to my position and the person that I am," he said. Sergeant Smith said there is one thing he wants all Grissom personnel to know as he takes on his new duties. "I believe in people, I believe we are all here for a reason and that each and everyone should be valued, and I look for the best in others and know that we all have our faults," he said. "I value integrity, honesty, responsibility and cooperation along with many other virtues in people, and I want individuals to know that they can come to me at any given time."
