Mother's dream inspired next generation

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Many people live each day with their families, sharing daily plans over breakfast, highlighting their day over dinner and sharing tears of sadness and laughter of joy. But most grow up knowing nothing of the dreams of their parents who brought them into the world.

For one Airman assigned to the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, her decision to join the military brought about a story her mother could then share with her daughter.

"I love telling this story," said Staff Sgt. Diamond Wilkins, 100th CES requirements and optimization section craftsman, when asked what made her join the Air Force. "I was the typical defiant, stubborn teenager and my mother asked me what was I going to do after high school. Just to push her buttons I said 'I'm going to join the Army.' No one in my family ever joined the military and I thought that would really wind her up."

Her mother gave her advice that would take her all the way to England one day.

"She looked at me and said, 'so you're joining the army?'" Wilkins reflected. "I said, 'Yes, I'm going to join the Army.' She said, 'If anything you're going to talk to the Air Force recruiter.' Through that we started up a conversation and that's when I found out that she had considered joining the Air Force herself. I never knew that. Because she was interested, it made me interested. I said to myself, 'let me see what the Air Force has to offer,' so I went and talked to a recruiter and I never looked back."

Wilkins joined the Air Force and began her career, one which she didn't have in mind herself. She couldn't wait to do her duty for her country.

"This job actually chose me," Wilkins said. "I was supposed to be in the command post and when I was in basic training they told me that there were more Airmen than positions open for the job, so I would have to stay in basic training for a little longer. I said 'give me the first thing that's going to get me out of here and start working.' I listed eight more jobs, and this one chose me, and I really enjoy it."

She has a variety of responsibilities that keeps her busy ensuring the men and women on RAF Mildenhall have a warm, safe place to carry out their duties each day.

"I run the Air Force Form 332 (workorder) program which is pretty much an approval program for major construction and repairs on the base," Wilkins explained. "I also run the facility manager program. Every commander is in charge of their squadron's facilities and they appoint facility managers to care for the minor things on behalf of their commanders.  I also assist with the civil engineer service call desk, taking the work requests either over the phone or by email, and help with the utility outage program when we have to schedule outages for maintenance and repair facilities."

It's a very demanding role for such a large installation with aging buildings, but she is not alone in her work.

The section has one Airman and two more NCOs as well as Ministry of Defense and Local National Direct Hire personnel. A contract representative also works with Wilkins. They work with the operations planning section upstairs as well as the environmental section on the other side of the building.

As for many people, it's the interaction with others that make her day what it is.

"With the work clearance program I coordinate with nine different agencies and work with our contract partners; networking with them and sharing funny jokes is the highlight of my day," Wilkins laughed. "I enjoy networking with the different agencies, such as with the utility outage program, and I look forward to coordinating with different people."

She enjoys her work but takes her duties very seriously, particularly when it comes to the safety of those working on the aircraft on the flightline day and night.

"I work closely with contractors and it's very important work when it's happening on the airfield because they need the lights at all times, so we have to work hard to get backup generators," Wilkins said. "I also help with the AF Form 103 Work Clearance, also known as 'dig permits.' Anytime anyone needs to dig into the ground for any construction or any new work, that has to be approved and they need a permit."

Over time, processes and procedures evolve to ensure an organization stays ahead of the game, and her team is looking forward to adapting to these improvements. 

"I would like to highlight the many transformations happening in the civil engineer world. These changes are beyond this installation and are taking place Air Force-wide," Wilkins said. "Here we are implementing our prioritized asset listing, also referred to as the PAL. It's breaking up all of the facilities into different tiers so facilities that are tied more closely with the mission have a higher priority and are classed as either tier one or tier two facilities. Those facilities would be classed in our work system as a higher priority to complete than a facility that did not have as close a tie to the mission."

Her leadership is proud of how hard her team works to maintain the base and keep the runway operational at all times.

"We have an outstanding team in the 100th CES," said Senior Master Sgt. Craig Houchins, 100th CES Operations Flight superintendent. "A vital part of that team is Sergeant Wilkins who is a stellar professional and an excellent role model and mentor for the Airmen. We have been extremely fortunate that her mother suggested that she consider the Air Force for a career."