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First sergeant taking care of Airmen

  • Published
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Imagine an occupation that creates tough personal demands, requires leaving your primary career field and demands around-the-clock attention. Now note that the person holding this job is the first one to which a troubled Airman turns when he or she needs serious help.

The Air Force recognizes the importance of its first sergeants, or first shirt as Airmen affectionately call them. With airmen deploying continuously and working at a very high operations tempo, the contribution of these top-level enlisted members is more important than ever.

In the Air Force, "first sergeant", is not a grade but a special duty designation. He or she is the chief enlisted advisor to the unit commander on matters of enlisted morale, welfare and conduct.

The first shirt helps provide a commander with a mission-ready enlisted force and prepares enlisted personnel for deployments. They advise the commander on a wide-range of topics including the health of his Airmen and their esprit de corps, discipline, well-being, career progression and professional development.

They ensure supervisors set an appropriate example for subordinates and provide direction. First shirts oversee training in leadership, customs and courtesies, dress and personal appearance, self-discipline and adherence to standards. The first sergeant helps enlisted members adapt to the military environment and adjust to the organization and manages care and upkeep of unit dormitories and adjacent grounds.