Considering first sergeant duty - the right move Published Jan. 10, 2012 By Mountain Home Air Force Base First Sergeants 366th Fighter Wing MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Being a first sergeant is one of the most satisfying jobs in the Air Force. Yes, the hours can be long and you may be called out to respond to an incident on the weekend or a holiday. However, this duty goes well beyond the long hours and weekend calls. As a first sergeant, you have an opportunity to positively influence every enlisted person in your squadron. You have the opportunity to help Airmen who may be going through difficult situations such as a death in the family, financial issues, medical problems, or divorce. There are several words that can be used to describe this prestigious duty. Two of them stand out with special significance. Impact is the first word that comes to mind when I think of first sergeant duty. All of us at some point in our lives have been affected by someone else. The ability to positively impact another person has a profound effect. Taking the extra minute to listen when no one else will has the ability to turn a person's day around. Airmen seek a first sergeant because they know he or she cares and will do everything possible to help them. This job is extremely rewarding because you know the positive effect you have on people's lives today will lead to the success of the Air Force tomorrow. The second word that sums up this duty is dedication. You have to be willing to live by the Air Force core values, specifically service before self. Dedication extends to the point where you are willing to put your Airmen's needs ahead of your own. It is not always easy and takes true dedication to put Service - Airmen - before self. Putting Airmen first will help to solidify the positive impact you make upon them and your organizational mission on a daily basis. The effectiveness and dedication you have, coupled with compassion and empathy, will yield synergistic results. A few of the duties and responsibilities also include: providing the commander a mission-ready enlisted force to execute the unit mission, advising the commander on a wide range of topics to include health, esprit de corps, discipline, well being, and recognition, as well as working with fellow noncommissioned officers to ensure discipline is equitably maintained. Also include assisting enlisted personnel in adapting to the military environment and supervising administrative actions directed by the commander. The requirements to become a first sergeant are much like other senior noncommissioned officer expectations and include the ability to speak clearly, possess a 7 or 9 skill level, completion of Course 14, completion of a CCAF degree and a recommendation from your immediate commander. If you are interested in becoming a first sergeant or if you want more information about this important position, contact one of us today!