Instructor of the Week: TSgt. Furnier Published Jan. 10, 2017 By Staff Reports 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Tech. Sgt. Robert Furnier, 359th Training Squadron Detachment 1 aircraft structural maintenance instructor and native of Sparta, Wisconsin, has been in the Air Force for 11 years and 8 months and is the Instructor of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of Jan. 10-16, 2017. Most significant accomplishments: - Received Distinguished Graduate and Leadership Awards in Airman Leadership School in 2009 - Completed aviation maintenance technology degree in 2014 Airman’s story: “I came from a military family,” Furnier said. “My parents and siblings have all served in various branches. I joined when I was 19 and have been stationed at Pope Air Force Base and Ellsworth Air Force Base. Then, I was selected for a Developmental Special Duty to be a technical school instructor at Naval Air Station, Pensacola.” “I really enjoy sharing my experience and knowledge with the next generation of Airmen,” he said. “I am married with no children, and I enjoy backpacking and camping with my wife. We also love to attend concerts and enjoy traveling.” Supervisor comments: “Technical Sergeant Furnier brings a vast knowledge of field level experiences to the technical training environment,” said Master Sgt. Brett Hogan, aircraft structural maintenance instructor supervisor. “He does an excellent job at using these experiences to motivate the next generation of ASM mechanics. He is also an international military student officer for the Air Education and Training Command’s fifth largest detachment where he is responsible for supervising, assisting, and bolstering positive relations with our international students.”