RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) –
Taking care of today's Airmen is the responsibility of everyone in leadership and supervisory positions in the Air Force.
However, for a select group of senior NCOs, this specific mission is their primary job. Air Force first sergeants are the eyes and ears of a unit and serve as the commander's critical link for all unit matters concerning enlisted members.
According to Master Sgt. Tracy Deason, Air Force Personnel Center first sergeant and special duty assignments superintendent, Air Force officials are always looking for master sergeants or master sergeant selects who are highly motivated and want to make a difference in Airmen's lives.
"First sergeants are responsible for providing sound advice to the commander on a wide range of topics including the health, esprit de corps, discipline, mentoring, well-being, career progression, recognition and professional development of all assigned enlisted members," said Sergeant Deason. "A first sergeant is on call 24 hours a day and should expect long and irregular duty hours based on [his or her] cumulative and important responsibilities as well as the impact of this position on units and personnel."
Working those long and irregular days can sometimes be challenging, but first sergeants know without their dedication and sacrifice, today's Airmen will not be able to reach their full potential or be at their best when they are needed most.
Air Force Instruction 36-2113, The First Sergeant, outlines the process to become a first sergeant. Here are the basic criteria that need to be completed to join the first sergeant ranks:
· Pass the annual fitness test
· Have no negative quality-force indicators
· Be a master sergeant upon attendance at the First Sergeant Academy
· Complete Senior NCO Academy by correspondence or in-residence
· Have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively
According to Sergeant Deason, selection and approval is done through the member's immediate chain of command as well as the wing commander and command chief master sergeant.
Tech. Sgt. Lisa Giedeman, AFPC field account representative, was interested in the first sergeant career field because she wanted to help shape the next generation of Airmen. She is scheduled to attend the First Sergeant Academy in July.
"What attracted me was the opportunity to guide and mentor our Airmen for the future of our Air Force," Sergeant Giedeman said. "I feel that the effects we have on our Airmen today determine the future leaders of tomorrow."
Tech. Sgt. Yolanda Cole, AFPC assignment program manager, also is answering the call to join the first sergeant ranks. She will attend the academy in September.
"I have always been interested in first sergeant duty," Sergeant Cole said. "However, I didn't really start thinking about it seriously until the retraining list came out last year and my name was on it. I did some serious thinking and noticed a requirement for first sergeants. After talking with my mentors, going to briefings and asking questions about the duty, I decided to put in a package."
There are about 1,100 active-duty Air Force first sergeants worldwide. This special duty also is deployable and its tasking is on par with most Air Force specialties across the service.
For more information on becoming a first sergeant, interested members are encouraged to talk to their first sergeant who can answer their basic questions about the career field. After a member decides on applying for this special duty, he or she should schedule a face-to-face meeting with the command chief master sergeant who will determine his or her eligibility and fitness.