Photo By Alexander Rector | New York Air National Guard and active-duty Airmen stationed at Hancock Field Air...... read more read more
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- Twenty U.S. Air Force Airmen completed a three-day additional duty first sergeant’s symposium at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Sep. 6-9, 2024.
The participating Airmen hailed from the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing and the active-duty Air Force’s 491st Attack Squadron.
The symposium prepares mid-level noncommissioned officers (NCOs) to assist their unit’s first sergeant in an additional duty capacity.
A U.S. Air Force first sergeant is a special duty position that is responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a unit while also serving as the chief adviser to the unit commander concerning the enlisted force.
As an Air National Guard unit, the members of the 174th Attack Wing typically complete their military obligations once a month in the form of weekend drill assemblies. However, due to the 174th ATKW’s ongoing state and federal missions, more than 370 Airmen work on the installation in a full-time capacity.
Despite this large full-time workforce, most first sergeants are traditional reservists who typically serve only one weekend a month. To ensure Airmen care and unit readiness, many squadrons appoint additional duty first sergeants that aid their unit's first sergeant in the performance of his/her duties.
“I've been lucky enough to have good first sergeants that lead by example,” said Tech Sgt. Justine Foote, a medical admin NCO with the 174th Medical Group. “I took the initiative to take on the course and it was a huge eye opener for me,” “I never really knew what a first sergeant actually does and all of the things that they're able to do for our members.”
Foote, who is a psychiatric nurse in her civilian career, hopes to leverage her experience to excel in a first sergeant position later in her military career.
“I probably would be pretty decent at the job, and I think that would be a great thing to help other people,” said Foote. “I'm usually a talker at work anyways. I like to walk around and check in on everybody. Hopefully people would feel comfortable coming to me, because I already have formed bonds with them.”
During the symposium the students delved into the responsibilities and duties of the unit first sergeant. With modules on counseling, discipline, crisis intervention, and communication, the students walked away from the course better equipped to serve their fellow Airmen.
“If anybody ever considers being a first sergeant, even if it's just a slight inkling to want to do it, research it, and get into it,” said Master Sgt. Joshua Reid, the 152nd Air Operations Group first sergeant. “It has taught me so much.”
Reid, who was appointed as a first sergeant in 2019, served as the course’s primary instructor.
“I love instructing. I think it's one of the most fun things to do,” said Reid. “It allows you to influence the future. And even though my time as a first sergeant is coming to an end, I want a little bit of what I've experienced and the things that I have seen and learned be passed down to these additional duty first sergeants, and hopefully one day future first sergeants.”
Reid, who will finish out his time as a first sergeant later this month, shared his experience and wisdom with the course participants.
“It is the most rewarding job. It's tough. It never ceases to amaze me how hard it can be,” said Reid. “But it is, it is one of the most rewarding things that you could do. I would encourage anybody to go and do it.”
“This position is something that I will always hold in my heart. It was a job I feel like was made just for me,” said Reid. “I know there's people out there that feel that same way.”
The 174th Attack Wing is one of the five wings that make up the New York Air National Guard. The wing operates the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft and is headquartered at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, NY.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2024 15:42 |
| Story ID: | 480600 |
| Location: | SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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