In every squadron of the U.S. Air Force there exists a senior non-commissioned officer whose job is to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained while taking care of the Airmen and their families. They make up one-third of the leadership triad alongside the squadron commanders and chief master sergeants. With an extensive knowledge of policy, protocol and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, they advise the commanders on unit morale and administrative action. They are the first sergeants, also known as first shirts, and they are here to help whenever someone’s in need.
The role of first sergeant existed long before the USAF and was adopted from the Army during its formation in 1947. Now the position of first sergeant is a special duty in the Air Force where SNCOs can develop their leadership abilities outside of their primary career field.
“The first sergeants are not only here for the commander, we’re here for the unit, the enlisted, the officers and all of their spouses,” said Master Sgt. Dierdre Mister, 36th Airlift Squadron first sergeant. “We’re here to ensure that the commander has a mission ready force by keeping our people healthy, happy and ready to get the job done.”
According to Mister and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Donna Cook, U.S. Forces, Japan and 5th Air Force first sergeant, the first sergeant can also serve as a role model for their troops because they often hold themselves to a high standard of dress and appearance. Mister attributes her first sergeant aspirations to the conduct and professionalism displayed by the first sergeant at her first assignment.
“I knew that I wanted to be a first sergeant since I was a two striper at Kadena Air Base where I had an amazing first sergeant,” Mister said. “Just looking at how sharp he wore his Battle Dress Uniform with his polished boots, I said to myself that’s what I want to do that’s who I want to be.”
While the first sergeant is sometimes perceived as a strict disciplinarian, the truth is a very different story. In the words of Master Sgt. Michael Pertain, 374th Force Support Squadron and Wing Staff Agency first sergeant, they don’t directly administer punishments, acting more as a ‘keeper of the rules’. By advising the commanders on policy and precedence, they enable the commanders to make informed decisions. Pertain also stated that even this advisory role is only a small percentage of the first sergeant duties.
“Helping people if they need assistance and just being there for them,” Pertain said. “That’s pretty much what the first sergeants job boils down to, helping no matter if it’s good, bad or indifferent; we are here to provide information.”
To become a first sergeant in the Air Force, eligible SNCOs are vectored through the Developmental Special Duty program. Once vectored, the potential first sergeants complete a long distance course before attending the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama. Upon graduation the SNCOs sew on their diamond and are assigned to a squadron.
“As part of our training we do some hands on facilitating, feedback classes, we learn about non-judicial punishment and ways to communicate with somebody who may be in trouble,” Pertain said. “Two weeks of class and then it’s off to your new assignment where it’s trial by fire, learning as things happen like in any other job.”
One reason that first sergeants are placed in squadrons outside their Air Force Specialty Code is to allow them to focus their full attention on the morale of the service members. As an outside observer they can provide an unbiased viewpoint that is not influenced by the squadron’s regular operations or mission tempo. To better understand the Airmen and build rapport the first sergeants must adapt to the culture of their squadron, which can be difficult.
“I come from a communications career field where I’m used to people behaving a certain way and that’s completely different to a maintenance squadron or my 36 AS,” Mister said. “Now I’m surrounded by guys in flightsuits and the way they interact with each other is totally different. They’re all great guys, but their worlds revolve around flying those planes and it shows.”
This culture dissonance is even more pronounced in Cook’s case because she is a first sergeant for a Joint Command including members from all branches of the U.S. military. She admits that one of the biggest challenges is providing branch-specific information, but has overcome this with the help of the USFJ senior leadership. In spite of this difficulty Cook is grateful for the opportunity to work at Yokota Air Base.
“I do enjoy being stationed here in Japan because not everyone gets this opportunity to be a first sergeant for a Joint Command,” Cook said. “It’s been a great assignment and a great experience.”
While Pertain, Cook and Mister had varying opinions on what qualities are beneficial to being an effective first sergeant including: high moral standards, the ability to hold people accountable for their actions, a desire to make positive change in the military and mentorship, but all three agreed that the most important one is to care.
“One characteristic that is inherent in every effective first sergeant is their ability to care,” Pertain said. “It’s important to be able empathize when people are in pain, when they’re angry or suffering and even when they’re happy to share in their joy.”
So the next time a first sergeant stops by the office, don’t assume the worst. Most of the time they just want to say hi, ask how you’re doing and make sure that everyone is taken care of.