Wingman of Choice: Harwood Published Feb. 9, 2016 By Staff Reports 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Staff Sgt. Philip Harwood, 366th Training Squadron explosive ordnance disposal preliminary course instructor and native of Marion, North Carolina, has been in the Air Force for more than 10 years and is the commander’s Wingman of Choice at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of Feb. 9-15, 2016. Harwood served as the primary instructor for 10 classes, teaching more than 1,400 hours to 298 students awarding 84 Community College of the Air Force credits to 42 students. Harwood has a wife, Kim and sister, Sarah. He also considers his more than 900 fellow EOD technicians family. He received his CCAF Associate of Applied Science in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Associate of Applied Science Instructor of Technology and Military Science. “My wife and the EOD career field are my two biggest inspirations,” Harwood said. “My wife has always been understanding and supported me. The EOD career field is my family and they constantly support and challenge me to always do better. We are a family willing to do whatever is necessary, whether it be for the mission or each other.” Harwood wishes to make technical sergeant, complete his Bachelor’s degree, and implement the new EOD Team Leader course. Long-term, he would like to make chief master sergeant and retire from the Air Force with a Master’s degree in Business Management. After retiring from the Air Force, he wants to open an automotive shop and work with the U.S. Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or FBI as an explosives expert. Greatest accomplishments: “My greatest accomplishment was being selected as an instructor,” he said. “My position as an instructor allows me the ability to teach and guide the selected few who will possibly become part of the tight-knit EOD family. We are the students’ first impression of the EOD career field.” Harwood invested 402 hours in developing the new EOD preliminary course curriculum. In an effort to reduce the overall attrition rate at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Harwood created 166 pages of lesson plans with 48 new tests. By altering the course curriculum, Harwood was able to save the Air Force more than $650,000 in excess equipment that will be reutilized at other bases. Commander’s comments: “Staff Sergeant Harwood is an incredible asset to this organization and I am proud to have him on board,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Herndon, 366th TRS commander. “Sergeant Harwood has an incredible responsibility as an instructor where he dedicates his time to teach and mentor our future leaders. His ability to guide, mentor and inspire our young Airmen in Training with such dedication and great attitude is extraordinary. I look forward to see what else he can do for the 366th Training Squadron and the Air Force in his years ahead. I wholeheartedly recommend Sergeant Harwood for this award as he is most deserving and epitomizes the Wingman of Choice concept.”