Symposium trains tomorrow's 1st Sergeants

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A room full of first sergeants can be as intimidating as a pit full of snakes. However, Eielson NCOs recently experienced this opportunity gaining leadership skills and a better understanding of what it means to be entrusted as a squadron first sergeant.

From Feb. 22 to 25 Eielson Air Force base held the First Sergeant Symposium at the 168th Air Refueling Wing auditorium providing a forum for the free flow of information between current first sergeants and those interested in the job.

Over the four days, Eielson first sergeants took an opportunity to share their experiences with 26 technical and master sergeants. The overall goal of the symposium was to set Eielson's NCOs for success by providing real-life scenarios and solutions to tomorrow's potential first sergeants.

"The course gave them a broad overview of what our job really encompasses and how to take on those daily tasks so they have a basic idea where to go, where to get help, and who to call," said Master Sgt. Matthew Stinson, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant.

Guest speakers were also invited including 11th Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, to say a few words on leadership and career experience.

After each instructional block, conference discussions immediately went beyond the usual laundry list of duties and instead illustrated the importance of a supervisor's managerial skills. First sergeants teaching the course emphasized how these skills could be applied in real-life scenarios and provided several examples to further instill their application in daily life.

"I learned more in this seminar than all of my previous professional military education classes," said Master Sgt. Timothy Brown, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft section chief. "I know how to be a better supervisor and a leader because of what I learned in these few days."

From how to be a better leader to knowing when and how to engage people helped me know more about what it takes to be a supervisor, said Sergeant Brown.

More often than not a first sergeant's role in a squadron is unknown. One reason is as a result of the wide range of duties they often carry within a squadron. Airmen can misunderstand the importance of a first sergeant mistaking them solely as an enforcer of rules and guidelines.

While one of their duties is to enforce Air Force guidance, first sergeants play a vital role in nearly all wing activities. The first sergeant motto says, "Everyone is our business." All first sergeants know their job is about people and setting them up to complete the mission. Airmen often do not know how important this single individual can be to their daily life.

"In most cases people don't really know the wide-scope of our responsibilities," said Master Sgt. Robert Woodin, 354th Medical Group first sergeant. First sergeants also ensure Airmen are informed about opportunities for personal and professional growth, and changes in policy among other items for daily success of the mission.

According to Sergeant Woodin, feedback from those attending was very positive and many appreciated the real-life examples that gave definitive value to leadership skills taught throughout the course. First sergeants drove home the understanding that a unit's morale and health depend on the trust people have on their leadership for help.

When asked what makes a great first sergeant, Sergeant Woodin said "Bottom-line, does the first sergeant take care of his or her people. If their folks, military or civilian, respect and trust them, then to me that is a great Shirt."

The symposium emphasized that a first sergeant's duties and responsibilities are always done with Airmen in mind. Upon completion of the course, supervisors were presented with certificates from Col. Lynn Scheel, 354th Fighter Wing vice wing commander. For Eielson, a seminar like this provides tangible growth in its units' abilities to manage an invaluable Air Force asset, its Airmen, and lay the groundwork for better supervisors, leaders and wingmen.