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SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Have you ever needed assistance in your military career and did not know where to go or who could assist? The first sergeant of your unit is an excellent person to help lead you in the right direction.
The first sergeant is also known as the "First Shirt." One of their roles is to act as counsel to the commander. Another is to support the well-being of the Airmen in their unit.
To be a first shirt, one must be committed to the work, be a non-commissioned officer in good standing within their unit and be recommended for the position. The first sergeants' academy course is one month in length.
Master Sgt. Todd Claerhout, first sergeant assigned to the 127th Civil Engineer Squadron, has been a first shirt since February 2021. He said he enjoys the process of seeing a problem through.
"As a first shirt, we turn problems into viable solutions," Claerhout said. "This is what we are here for."
First sergeants communicate with unit leadership, supervisors, and unit members to ensure equity is maintained and the force's morale, welfare, and health needs are met.
"We create a culture where our Airmen can use the chain of command to communicate with leadership," said Master Sgt. Ryan Dunlap, assigned to the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
The first sergeant seeks to be a trusted voice within the unit, Dunlap said.
Airman 1st Class Reid Kerr, an operations manager assigned to the 127th Civil Engineer Squadron has been in the military for two years and said he’s interacted with the first sergeant throughout his career.
"A first shirt’s number one priority is to take care of their Airmen," said Kerr. "They ensure the Airman is up to date on their tasks and have what they need to be successful."
Master Sgt. Amanda Held, first sergeant with the 127th Medical Group, had been in the military for more than 10 years before pursuing a position as a first shirt.
"I have always found myself in positions where I am taking care of others," Held said. She has been in the role of first sergeant for more than a year and found that this is the proper position for her.
According to Air Force Instruction 36-2113, first sergeants are considered a dedicated focal point for all readiness, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life issues within their organizations. The First Sergeant primarily supports the mission through interaction, support, and management of all unit-assigned personnel and their families.
To help build morale and health within the 127th Wing, the First Sergeant Council will host a Diamond Run at 0600 Saturdays of regularly scheduled drills in front of building 303 beginning in October 2022.
"The Diamond Run will provide an opportunity for Airmen to be mission ready through their physical fitness," said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Brewer, first sergeant for the 127th Wing headquarters.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2022 09:03 |
| Story ID: | 430552 |
| Location: | SANGB, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 366 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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