The four Cs: The true value of a diamond

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Buffy Galbraith
  • 919th SOW Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  The diamond. A universal symbol of strength, it is the hardest natural substance known to man, yet it is a symbol of delicateness that can represent the most fragile of emotions. When choosing a diamond to buy, several considerations determine its value: cut, color, clarity and carat weight, also known as the four Cs. 

Here at Duke Field, the diamond is a symbol worn on the enlisted chevron of the men and women who commit themselves to duty as first sergeants. 

Not only do they differentiate themselves from other senior noncommissioned officers by earning the diamond symbol, but the natural diamond's four Cs also personify the value of a first sergeant and are used as metaphors to help describe their level of commitment. 

Cut 

The style and quality of the cut will affect the brilliance and value of the natural diamond.
The appointment of a first sergeant is based on a highly selective process. Those that make the cut must have the following: minimum scores of 45 in Administrative and 58 in General in the Armed Services Vocational Battery Test; a seven-skill level in any Air Force Specialty Code; completion of the command NCO Academy; be a Master sergeant or technical sergeant eligible for promotion; and a fitness score of 75 or better. Candidates must also agree to attend the First Sergeant's Academy within a year of appointment. 

While a board determines the individual best suited to fulfill the needs of the Air Force and its people, taking the first step to apply for the position is a more personal decision. 

One combination that makes a good first sergeant is the desire to want to help people coupled with the willingness to be approachable, said Master Sgt. David Griffith, 719th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. 

"It starts at the grass roots level," he said. "I see so many people that would be great as a first sergeant, but they're afraid to take that first step." 

The first step to being a cut above is the willingness to listen to the needs of peers. 

"I used to be a closed person, and I had to learn how to be approachable. It's made me a better person all-around," said Sergeant Griffith. 

Leadership is an important role of a first sergeant, and is one of the cuts that determine the true value of a 'diamond'. 

"In my past, I've had some good first sergeants and some not so good first sergeants," said Master Sgt. David Dombrowski, 5th Special Operations Squadron first sergeant. "I knew it was my time to mentor - my time to lead. I wanted to help make the whole machine work." 

To make the cut and help make the machine work, a first sergeant must be willing to do what it takes to lead, even when he or she is unpopular. 

"Sometimes you have to be ready to stand that uncomfortable ground and tell someone when you know they are starving for direction," said Sergeant Griffith. "You can't be afraid to lead someone down the right path." 

"It's our job to look out for our troops and be a leader. Sometimes that means that you have to maintain good order and discipline by holding people to a higher standard," he said. 

Color 

A natural diamond's color, or lack thereof, is an important factor in determining the value of the stone. When it comes to the first sergeant, the colors that the United States Air Force represent remind an individual why he or she joined the military. 

"Becoming a first sergeant 're-blues' you," said Master Sgt. Dan Landrum, 919th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "The First Sergeant's Academy brings you back in line and motivates you on what's important. It was an eye-opening and inspirational experience." 

Sergeant Landrum looks to his role as a first sergeant as a means to motivate members by being self-motivated. 

The academy's mission is to provide education and training to select senior NCOs to develop the best first sergeants in the world as well as tomorrow's senior enlisted Air Force leaders. The academy is at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ga. 

"Airmen just need a little direction sometimes," said Sergeant Dombrowski. "People have so many pressures these days; they have family, career and military obligations all pulling at them." 

"We have to be able to show them that they are making the right decisions for themselves by listening to what they have to say and sometimes helping them to remember why they chose to be Air Force 'blue'. It makes a difference," he added. 

Clarity 

The diamond's clarity has to do with the clearness of the stone and whether or not there are any inclusions or flaws. A first sergeant must have the clarity of a flawless diamond, with a clear vision of the mission. 

"When you impact somebody - even one person - and turn them around to help them realize they make direct contributions, that's when they realize that they do make a difference," said Sergeant Landrum. "And that's when you realize why you became a first sergeant." 

It is this clarity that first sergeants, like Sergeant Landrum, find when fulfilling duties as his unit's first sergeant. 

"You are a mentor, a leader," said Sergeant Griffith. "You are a vehicle that helps your NCOs move forward." 

The primary liaison to the commander in all matters that pertain to the enlisted ranks, a first sergeant's top priority is to provide a forward-moving and forward-thinking enlisted corps. 

"First sergeants see their role clearly; your primary job is to provide a mission-ready force," said Sergeant Landrum. "They contribute directly to the mission." 

Carat weight 

The carat weight of a diamond is a direct correlation to the size of the stone. Once a first sergeant, many senior NCOs realize the weight, or impact, the diamond carries. 

While on vacation, Sergeant Dombrowski was approached by a service-member who identified the first sergeant sticker on the windshield of the motor home the first sergeant was driving. 

"When he approached me I could tell he just needed to talk. I didn't know his unit or anything about him, but he saw the diamond and knew he could come to me. He was stressed out about changing circumstances in his life. It turns out, all he needed was someone to listen and help him to see that everything would be alright," said Sergeant Dombrowski. 

"The diamond is a universal symbol - I was glad I had that sticker on my windshield," he said. "I would have missed an opportunity to help someone; missed an opportunity to touch a young Airman's life." 

Many first sergeants agree that helping fellow Airmen can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the job, and that it takes a well-rounded person to fulfill the many duties required of the position. 

"I feel this is the best job in the Air Force," said Sergeant Griffith. 

Like a diamond's four Cs, the first sergeant's cut, color, clarity and carat weight can determine the true value of the 'diamond.' 

"When I became a first sergeant, I fell in love with the Air Force again," said Sergeant Landrum. "I knew this was how I could make a difference."