What it means to be a First Sergeant

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keoni Chavarria
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Making decisions that can affect another's life can be a difficult choice to make, but with the help and opinion of others, it can be made a little easier. First sergeants on McChord Field spoke to 57 potential first sergeants and additional duty first sergeants at the First Sergeant's Symposium, April 20 to April 23 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The symposium is an optional class held once a year where participants learned the qualities and the responsibilities that come along with being a first sergeant and the resources that are available to them.

A first sergeant is responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of the Airmen that belong in their squadron and are also advisors.

"The symposium provides the participants with more guidance for quick responses of Airmen in crisis," said Master Sgt. Matthew Shaver, 4th Airlift Squadron first sergeant. "They can then take this information to their squadrons and flights, and teach them the skills learned here to coordinate with specific issues."

Some of the topics participants learned about are outlets they can go to for deaths, promotions, punishments, and family issues.

"With the help of all of the resources I learned in the class, I can streamline all of my issues to solve them," said Tech. Sgt. Jesus Mendez, 627th Security Forces Squadron combat arms NCO in charge.

According to Master Sgt. Jay Redfern, 5th Air Support Squadron first sergeant, a key point in the class is networking amongst each other.
"Sometimes there is not one specific right answer when dealing with people," said Redfern. "Allowing the participants to discuss situations with each other can better help make their decisions."

Being able to discuss the topics with others in the room allowed the participants to learn new perspectives they would not have thought about otherwise.
When talking about punishments, Master Sgt. Curtis Davis, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, added that an action such as leaving a post can be vastly different between an Airman from a security forces squadron, and a force support squadron. The action would be much more severe for the Airman that belongs to the security forces because of their circumstance.

"We work for Airmen," said Redfern. "We guide them so that they are not worrying about life issues such as finances and relationship problems.

"With the symposium, the participants learn everything they need to be in the first sergeant's position. If someone goes on leave or TDY's, they will have the skills needed to be competent."