The AF First Sergeant Academy (FSA) is a leadership development and technical training course designed to train, educate, and develop select senior noncommissioned officers to serve as United States Air Force first sergeants.  First sergeants advise commanders on the readiness, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life of Airmen and families to ensure a mission-ready force.  The FSA is a total force academy and integrates students from the active duty, Air Reserve, and Air National Guard components.  Upon graduation, students are awarded the special duty identifier (SDI) 8F000 and authorized to wear the first sergeant chevron.

The resident learning course consists of 217 hours and is divided into four weeks of demanding curriculum to include First Sergeant Responsibilities, Maintenance and Discipline, Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Resiliency Training, and First Sergeant Legal Orientation.  FSA also partners with other schools across Air University and industry experts. Vectored first sergeants will attend 20 days of resident study at Maxwell AFB–Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Alabama.

In addition, FSA offers a first sergeant additional duty seminar for each component.  FSA provides oversight of the additional duty seminars to ensure core curriculum requirements are met.  The areas of study include Human Resource Management, Maintenance of Discipline, and Readiness modules. 

Learning Outcomes. The FSA graduate will be able to

• Provide commanders with a mission-ready force by advising on all matters affecting unit readiness, health, morale, discipline, welfare, quality of life, legal, and quality force indicators

• Lead the unit effort in developing, nurturing and cultivating a professional culture grounded in the Air Force Core Values

• Facilitate and execute commander’s intent by ensuring Airmen's understanding and compliance with unit policies, goals, and objectives

• Prepare the unit’s enlisted force to best execute all assigned tasks through effective written and oral communication

• Maintain balance/harmony by practicing self-care throughout the first sergeant tour

Faculty. All personnel selected as FSA faculty must carry the first sergeant SDI.  FSA faculty members are required to have a minimum of an associate’s degree (bachelor's degree is preferred) and must complete the Academic Instructor Course (or equivalent) after arrival. Within the first year of teaching, the faculty must complete 120 hours of student contact internship and 30 hours of curriculum development.

Duration. The course length is 20 academic days in residence, and the facility can support up to 106 students per resident class.  There are seven resident courses offered each fiscal year.

Eligibility. The AF FSA course enrolls master sergeants from active duty, ANG, and AFRC. Refer to AFI 36-2113, The First Sergeant, and the special duty catalog (SPECAT) guide for the application, training, and selection process for first sergeant duty in each of the three components.