DSD shapes future leaders

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kyle Gese
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Anger. That was his first reaction.

Anger, fear, and discouragement was all U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Damon Orlando felt when he was selected for his MTL position through the Developmental Special Duty selection process.

"I was not excited to come back to Sheppard whatsoever," said Orlando, 362nd Training Squadron military training leader. "I was at a good place in my career, I finally made the position that I wanted to make and felt like I had a lot more to offer there."

Despite his initial reaction, Orlando began to realize DSD opened up a much larger opportunity for him to develop his skills as a frontline supervisor.

"It is unbelievably different than what I had anticipated," he said. "This opportunity will give me enough experience to leave here and be a flight chief or a superintendent somewhere."

DSD positions create and develop the world's greatest Airmen through oversight and leadership of multiple Airmen. Those who are selected are typically responsible for the technical and professional development of their subordinates.

Airmen are nominated by their leadership to fill DSD positions and are chosen because they show exemplary performance in their day-to-day operations. In nominating, they are chosen for positions that best fit a certain skill-set - such as supervision or mentorship of Airmen - in his or her strategic level of operation.

For example, if an Airman shows a particular interest in training their peers, are proficient in the technical aspect of their job and knows all of their training instructions and AFI's - their leadership might look at nominating the individual for a technical training instructor position.

Leaders make selections based on the Airman's experience, attitude and personality. When they select an Airman, they determine that he or she would be a good fit for whatever position is needed. Not only will the Air Force benefit from evaluating Airmen for these special duty positions, but DSD will also enhance the Airmen's leadership capabilities and experience throughout their assignment. It's a "win-win" situation.

"As an NCO, I have grown leaps and bounds in my development. Instead of overseeing 19 Airmen, I am now overseeing a couple hundred Airmen at a time," he said. "I am very happy that DSD has given me this opportunity to excel."

Orlando explained fear plays a major role in how someone may perceive an unknown assignment or change in environment. By having an open mind and approaching the change - similarly, to the way Airmen approach unknown changes when they leave for basic training or deployments - he believes that it will do great things for the U.S. Air Force.