JBER hosts DSD briefing

Published July 10, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- A Developmental Special Duty seminar was hosted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Professional Military Education Center June 29, 2017.

There are 10 designated developmental special duties – all of which are specified as developmental because of their unique leadership roles and the responsibility to mentor young Airmen.

Air Force service members whose ranks spanned from airman first class to senior master sergeant listened to representatives from seven of the ten enlisted special duties.

Military training instructors, military training leaders, Air Force Academy military training instructors, Air Force Honor Guard, PME instructors, recruiters and first sergeants were all represented during the event.

Speakers gave tips on how to get selected for specific special duties, and they provided insight on the day-to-day responsibilities of their respective DSDs.

“Getting good people that are passionate about these special duties is key,” said Master Sgt. Alonso Blackman, 673d Medical Group laboratory services section chief. “I want to make sure that people, passionate about their career, get the tools necessary to succeed.”

The seminar also served to educate supervisors on how to steer their Airmen in the right direction.

“I think I got more information to share with my Airmen than I did for myself,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Wheeler, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of aircraft arresting systems. “He’s currently an A1C so it’s a little far off, but why not. [He expressed an interest in becoming an MTI], and I’m here to get informed and support him.”

There are no other DSD events currently scheduled, however, if service members express their interest, similar seminars could become an annual occurrence, Blackman said.

For more information about DSD visit, http://www.afpc.af.mil/Developmental-Special-Duty/.