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Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Jillian Diani

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Jillian Diani, Transient Lodging NCO in charge with the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. The Connecticut native is deployed from the 325th Forces Support Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

Q: What is your family’s military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: My grandfather was in the Air Force and also my step-sister is in the Air National Guard.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: My mission is to maintain mission readiness and quality of life by providing bed spaces to transient Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, DOD Civilians, Contractors, and Coalition Forces. I am responsible for the overall day-to-day administration, management, and accountability of all transient lodging assignments.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part of the mission here is being able to end my day feeling accomplished. Commando Village Lodging is very intricate in the aspect that there are so many more facets that go into keeping transient lodging afloat. It is not solely about checking in and checking out people. Lodging is like a giant puzzle and completing it every day will ensure the overall mission is met and maintained.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: Some of the major challenges I have faced while conducting the mission here is the low amount of bed spaces. Bed space will always be an issue, but daily accountability is accomplished to maximize the use of what we have. All we can really do is try to accommodate the needs of guests as well as we possibly can with what we have at hand.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: Within services, we have the ability to do various job in our career field. Thankfully, I worked as an assistant front desk manager and in group reservations for a few months before I deployed. The job does not differ in any extremes, since I was in a managerial position and worked with large group arrivals coming to Tyndall for training.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: This is my third deployment to the 386th EFSS.

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: With this being my third time here, the base has not changed. Personally, what makes this particular deployment different is having a lot more responsibility, more oversight, and implementation control. I am constantly busy and on-the-go with not only my job, but being involved in professional organizations and with my additional duties. Once I return back home, I will be enjoying a well-deserved drink. 

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: Honestly, I joined the Air Force to get away from home, travel, be completely independent, and get a much needed life adjustment. Seven years later, the Air Force is still what I want to be a part of, and I encourage everyone to find their niche where they feel accomplished when the day is done.