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Additional Duty First Sergeant Seminar provides leadership tools

  • Published
  • By Mike Joseph
  • 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  During the Additional Duty First Sergeant Seminar last week, NCOs and senior NCOs learned that the role of a first sergeant is to serve as both a leader to enlisted Airmen and an advisor to his unit's commander.

Held at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy auditorium Feb. 8 -12, the event gave Airmen a better understanding of the responsibilities of a first sergeant and an additional duty first sergeant. The seminar also provided leadership tools in the absence of a first sergeant to continue with the unit's health, morale and welfare.

"We definitely learned that (first sergeants and additional duty first sergeants) are here solely to take care of the Air Force's biggest asset - the people," said Tech. Sgt. Christina Perrien, 345th Training Squadron flight chief for materials management, logistics and plans. "They gave us a lot of (good) information. To me, it's like I went grocery shopping and filled up my cart."

Master Sgt. Darrell Hankins, Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy superintendent of leadership and management and professional military education instructor, agreed that taking care of Airmen is a primary function of both roles.

"I'm there to take care of people first because I came to this job to do that," Sergeant Hankins said, who spent 17 years in the Air Force band before becoming an instructor.

"Additional duty is just another way I can impact the Air Force by telling people not only my story but learning their story," he said.

Sergeant Hankins said he could also make a difference by helping Airmen who need "a little guidance, a little redirection; and once they get it, being there to help them through the process."

The seminar was sponsored by the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., which falls under the Thomas Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. They are accredited by the Community College of the Air Force, and Airmen receive two hours credit upon completion.

The Lackland seminar, attended by 148 NCOs and senior NCOs, including Airmen from other bases, is one of 14 scheduled this year by the First Sergeant Academy around the United States, Pacific Air Forces and Europe. Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Rainey, FSA commandant, said approximately 1,400 Airmen will attend the seminars this year.

Sergeant Hankins knows his role will expand as a volunteer additional duty first sergeant. Along with the staff, more than 1,400 Airmen attend NCO Academy classes yearly.

"My role is to be that (person who) cares for students when they have those same issues that anybody on my staff would have," he said.

Sergeant Perrien said she wanted to be an additional duty first sergeant for the same reason she became an instructor - to make a difference.

"I wanted to be able to tell my story," she said, explaining she was seeking an additional avenue to help Airmen.

"(The first sergeant) is a leader who represents the unit commander to outside agencies, who partners with the organizational chief master sergeant," Chief Rainey said. "(They are) there to help, guide and mentor a unit's enlisted personnel and care for the families of all members assigned to the organization. (Those are) only a few key roles."

For more information about becoming an additional duty or full-time first sergeant, contact your unit's first sergeant.