Team Fairchild hosts the first ever First Sergeant Symposium, opportunity for resources and networking

  • Published
  • By Airman Jenna Bond
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Team Fairchild hosted a First Sergeant Symposium to give potential first sergeants a deeper look at how to take care of their Airmen Nov. 30, 2021.

For the first time, instructors from the First Sergeant Academy came to base for a five day conference to give insight on resources and networking.

“As [academy] instructors we have an extra level of training and an extra level of experience to engage with Airmen,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jeremiah D. Bybee, First Sergeant Academy instructor. “I think we deliver a great curriculum.”

Wing leadership invited the First Sergeant Academy instructors to Fairchild with a goal to keep current first sergeants available to do their everyday tasks rather than teaching the course themselves.

“We took the initiative to invite those instructors out just to get that experience for our potential first shirts,” said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Guzman, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief. “The attendees learn a lot by just being around them and picking their brains.”

Having these instructors come to Fairchild is more than just beneficial for the aspiring first sergeants, it also gives our current first sergeants a great opportunity for growth.

“This course scratches the surface of those resources they’ll [attendees] need and allows them to network,” Bybee said. “At the end of the day, we like the people to have a little bit of experience when people need their first sergeants and this is an opportunity for them to get that.”

This curriculum will give those individuals the tools to do the job efficiently and be confident in their ability to take care of their Airmen.

“This is definitely something we want to continue to do,” Guzman said. “I think it brings a lot credibility to the course and a great deal of focus to Fairchild and our Airmen here.”

Having instructors from the First Sergeant Academy visit Fairchild not only provides its Airmen insight and mentorship for career growth, it also ensures Team Fairchild has the tools it needs to continue taking care of Airmen and their families.