JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Whether they're helping Airmen get home on emergency leave or counseling them on their actions, first sergeants have an important role in a unit.
Becoming a first sergeant, however, requires experiences and knowledge not always learned in a classroom.
That is why first sergeants from around the National Capital Region joined forces to host the third annual Ultimate First Sergeant Experience Seminar, April 7-10, at the Jacob E. Smart Center, here. The seminar was open to all NCR service members grade E-6 to E-8.
"A lot of what makes a first sergeant effective is experience," said Master Sgt. Don Simpson, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "This is an opportunity for attendees to put what they have learned into action and decide if first sergeant duty is for them."
The four-day seminar is a condensed version of the month-long distance learning course and the two-week in-residence version of the first sergeant academy. Attendees are not required to become first sergeants, but can serve as additional duty first sergeants in their unit.
"Our goal is to equip these Airmen with the necessary tools and knowledge to carry out this duty when needed," Simpson said. "Life happens, and certain events can take place that would require someone to step up and do the job."
For the students, the seminar provided a glimpse into the life of a first sergeant.
"I wanted to attend the seminar because I have previously been an acting first sergeant while ours attended the academy," said Tech Sgt. Becky Katt, 201st District of Columbia Air National Guard flight attendant. "While I stood in, I found myself leaning on other first sergeants for guidance. When this opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it."
The seminar included an icebreaker, group physical fitness sessions, classroom instruction, briefings from AFDW leadership and lessons learned from first sergeants.
Simpson said being a first sergeant is not an easy job, but it is rewarding.
"There is nothing like being there to help an Airman navigate through a difficult situation while simultaneously involving and developing supervisors," he said.
More than 120 NCOs attended the seminar, many with the goal of one day becoming a diamond wearing first sergeant. Course attendee, Master Sgt. Sylvester Lawrence, 11th Security Forces Squadron flight chief, admits to initially approaching the course with skepticism, but garnering a better appreciation for the position by courses end.
"The course was met with much skepticism on my part," said Lawrence. "I went there believing the course would be biased and full of 'Air-Force answers.' However, I found I did not need to be sold on what they did or how they did things. The course gave a very intimate view of what they did without being biased. They provided real feelings without worrying about how those felling were interpreted. The course forced me to deeply respect their lives and skill set. By the end, I gained respect for their mission and the plight of a first sergeant."
A goal of the seminar was to not try and sell NCOs on becoming a first sergeant, but rather shine a light on some of the trial and tribulations of the position.
"The perspectives I got out of this seminar have been invaluable," Katt said. "It really has been an eye opening experience that has taken my understanding of this position to a while new level. The entire experience was amazing."
The Ultimate First Sergeant Experience seminar takes place once a year. Interested NCOs should contact their first sergeant.