First Sergeant

According to Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, a first sergeant is a special, senior noncommissioned officer position. The position of Air Force first sergeant is a special duty assignment given to an enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force who supervises the airmen in his or her unit and monitors their health and morale. The first sergeant reports any relevant issues regarding their unit to the unit commander, and they work as a team to come up with solutions.

Another term for Air Force first sergeants is "first shirts," and a diamond on their rank insignia denotes their status. Usually, Air Force first sergeants are noncommissioned officers holding one of the following ranks:

Chief master sergeant: This is the ninth and most senior enlisted rank.

The most important role of a First Sergeant is taking care of our Airmen. Sure, taking care of Airmen is the responsibility of everyone in leadership and supervisory positions in the Air Force. However, for First Sergeants taking care of Airmen is their primary mission. The First Sergeant is the eyes and ears of a squadron and serves as his or her commander's critical link for all matters concerning enlisted members. First Sergeants are responsible for providing sound advice to the commander on a wide range of topics including the health, esprit de corps, discipline, mentoring, well being, career progression, recognition and professional development of all assigned enlisted members. First Sergeants are accountable to respond to the needs of Airmen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and may at times, be required to work long and irregular hours. 

You have to make an effort to get to know your Airmen, know their stories, not just why they joined the Air Force, but how they found themselves in the Air Force. Know about their hobbies, how they best receive information, how their parents are doing, how their kids and spouses are doing. Once you take the time to get to know your Airmen, you can really know how to best be a servant leader to them.

Throughout its history, the US Army relied on the concept of the first sergeant, which was a formal rank. The Air Service, Air Corps, and Army Air Forces, all of which were integral parts of the Army, also embraced the concept. When the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, however, it broke with Army tradition and made the position a duty specialty. In 1954, Gen. Nathan F. Twining, the USAF Chief of Staff, approved the use of the diamond in the V above the grade insignia as the first sergeant device.

Qualifications: Applicants must be exceptionally well qualified, with a broad breadth of experience and significant supervisory and leadership experience. Applicants must not have a permanent ALC “C” stratification “3” and must have 36 months’ retainability from the time of selection. Completion of Non- Commissioned Officer Academy is required prior to being selected. Completion of the USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy is mandatory within one year from First Sergeant Academy graduation date. He or she must project an overall military image that well exceeds minimum standards. A Secret Security Clearance is required. Applicants must be recommended by their current Command Chief prior to consideration for this position. Reference AFI 36-2113, The First Sergeant, for more information.

Prerequisites:

a. Must possess a minimum aptitude score of Administrative 41+ or General 62+.

b. Possess an awarded AFSC at the 7-skill level.

c. Community College of the Air Force degree

d. Overall rating of 5 on last three performance reports and no referral EPRs in the last three years.

e. Scored 80 or above on last two fitness tests, or 90 or above on most recent fitness test. No exemptions or failure on any portion within the last 12 months, except for deployments and/or pregnancy. No more than one unsatisfactory physical fitness assessment.

f. Three (3) or more years from High Year Tenure (HYT).

g. Outstanding in appearance, military bearing, professional military image and conduct, both on/off duty. h. No convictions by a civilian court, except for minor traffic violations.

i. No general, special or summary courts-martial convictions.

j. Must not have, nor bear the appearance of, personal, financial, marital or family problems that detract from the member’s ability to effectively serve as a First Sergeant.

k. Never received military disciplinary/corrective action (Letter of Counseling, Letter of Admonishment, Letter of Reprimand, or Article 15) for sexual-related offenses, drug-related offenses, larceny/theft/fraud, assault, domestic/child abuse-related offenses or repeat offenders for lesser offenses of those listed.

No day is ever the same as a previous day. Even as the hours go by, situations change and your focus must shift to the next evolving issue. This certainly keeps the job exciting. Anytime that phone rings, it could be an Airman sharing the best news of their life, or sometimes tragic news. You have to learn to prioritize and empathize with Airmen. What you would consider to be a minor inconvenience could quickly be interpreted as that Airman’s worst day. You will get to help Airmen at some of the lowest points in their careers and see them become effective and amazing Airmen, all because someone took the opportunity to help.

The day that will come when you lace your boots for the last time. The memories you have created, the lives you have effected. When that time comes, you do not want to regret the impression or impact you have had on your Air Force family. Having to discipline someone is never fun, but just remember to be fair and honest.

If an opening occurs prepare an application package and submit it! Good luck in your career!