Mentor, disciplinarian: First sergeants are there for Airmen

Courtesy Photo | Senior Airman Jason Castleman shares a laugh recently with Master Sgt. Larry Stuart, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, at Sather Air Base, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Will Ackerman)  

SATHER AIR BASE, IRAQ

04.10.2006

Courtesy Story

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By Master Sgt. Will Ackerman
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq - They have no subordinates, but every enlisted Airman in the squadron is the first sergeant's responsibility. Some days they are disciplinarians; on others they are an Airman's best friend. In a crisis, they are strong and help Airmen deal with grief and get them through it.

The first sergeant is "a counselor, a friend or a confidant; whatever the situation calls for," said Senior Master Sgt. Cleveland Wiltz, 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron additional duty first sergeant.

In the deployed environment, this role is more critical. People are away from loved ones, work longer hours and face issues and dangers unique to a war zone such as combat deaths or enemy attacks.

"People and resources are scarcer here," said Master Sgt. Larry Stuart, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. "A troop (who) is worried about home-station issues is not going to be effective, and the mission may suffer, which could affect someone's life."

Master Sergeant Joseph Sachleben helped his unit handle the first combat death of an Airman in the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron when Tech. Sgt. Walter M. Moss died March 29. The explosive ordnance disposal technician died from an explosion near Baghdad.

"When a situation occurs, you have to get the commander in front of the troops as soon as possible to brief squadron members on the facts and stymie any rumors," he said.

But even more crucial is helping the co-workers left behind deal with the grief.

"The essential thing is to ensure the folks have an opportunity to get some sort of closure in order to get past the crisis and re-engage on accomplishing the mission," Sergeant Sachleben said.
Conversely, first sergeants instill discipline and ensure Air Force standards are followed.

"When the time warrants, I am the disciplinarian and will drop the hammer," said Master Sgt. Alan Stoinski, 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "When the discipline is complete, I will pick them up and rebuild them again to be better (people)."

Being the conduit between the commander and the enlisted Airmen, first sergeants go into the work centers - day and night - to be the commander's eyes, ears and voice.

"I can go places and interact with people in ways my commander can't," said Sergeant Stewart. "When I am out with the troops, I try and get a feel for how the policies and direction the commander sets affects the troops and their ability to complete the mission."

Commanders rely on the first sergeant to be an "early warning system" regarding the unit morale, said Lt. Col. Craig Berlette, 447th ELRS commander.

"An effective Shirt will take action to lead and (manage) problems and issues as early as possible in order to mitigate mission impact," he said.

The colonel said the first sergeant also has a special relationship with him because he has unlimited access.

"The Shirt doesn't need an appointment, doesn't need to submit a meeting request," Colonel Berlette said. "When synchronized with (the) commander, it's real easy for the Shirt to carry forth the commander's vision."

First sergeants consider their second office to be where troops work and play so they can gauge the unit's morale.

"I come to work and go to the chow tent," said Master Sgt. Everett Spells, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron additional duty first sergeant. "I get a chance to see what's going on from the night before and talk to the troops coming in to make sure they have a good start to the day."

For one 447th ESFS Airman, the first sergeant provides a "human face" during the long hours he is on post.

"I can tell (Sergeant Stuart) is concerned and is genuine," said Senior Airman Jason Castleman. "We will also hear it if we mess up. But it's not anything that we don't already know."

Although people in the military know the mission comes first, first sergeants know that the people perform the mission.

"If we take care of the people, the mission will take care of itself," said Sergeant Sachleben.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2006
• Date Posted: 04.10.2006 20:30
• Story ID: 5990
• Location: SATHER AIR BASE, IQ