Instructor wins AF-level award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Tech. Sgt. John J. Deese, 312th Training Squadron instructor supervisor, received the 2013 Department of Defense Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award March 20.

According to the Fire and Emergency Services Annual Awards Guidance, the DOD Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award recognizes superior job performance and outstanding contribution to a DOD fire and emergency services organization as instructors and teachers.

"I enjoy going above and beyond my normal duties and strive to do the absolute best I can in every endeavor," Deese started. "As an instructor supervisor, I ensured that my instructor staff was properly trained and developed so that they could not only teach, but mentor our students to succeed academically, personally and professionally. This approach did not stop in the classroom as I also enjoyed getting out and supporting the development of our future leaders through group and wing initiatives."

Deese gives credit to more than himself for his success.

"The support of my family during those long nights and weekends has made it possible for me to put in the long hours helping students, supporting wing initiative and allowing me to pursue further education," said Deese. "The sacrifice of their time with me is probably the biggest reason I have been able to spend the time I have needed to become a better instructor and NCO. With that being said, my leadership, coworkers and the academy's joint environment have also been instrumental in my success. I have been consistently challenged in all aspects of being an instructor and NCO. These challenges have helped me develop personally and professionally."

Many military and civilian personnel assigned to fire departments, fire and emergency services organizations, and training institutions serving in one of numerous duty positions who are component annual award winners are eligible to achieve this award. For Deese, achieving this award is truly rewarding.

"It is a great honor to be recognized for this award, and it is a testament to the leadership and quality instructors that are behind the scenes making everything come together here at the DOD Fire Academy," said Deese. "I am honored to represent the Air Force as I go forward to the DOD level."

Achieving this award takes more than just talking in front of students or telling a trainee how to do their job; Deese encourages instructors to go beyond the textbook teaching.

"The main reason an instructor is here is to help the students succeed academically while also mentoring them and offering them guidance with their life and career decisions," said Deese. "Always keep that in mind as you are out there molding the future of your service component and career field. Learn from everyone around you to include the students. Get involved in all aspects of training, so that you can have a better understanding of the different processes that enable you to do your job."

The Fire and Emergency Services Annual Awards Guidance states to become the Fire Service Instructor of the Year, nominees have to have outstanding, effective or innovative training programs, an outstanding performance as an instructor, trainer, or speaker, and develop training materials the enliven, support, or enhance instructor presentation. Deese met the criteria to become the 2013 DOD Fire Service Instructor of the Year.