Eyes of the squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell
  • Altus Air Force Base Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  At 97th Air Mobility Wing, seven first sergeants are responsible for the well-being of all personnel across the base. They are tasked with monitoring Airmen’s readiness, health, morale and discipline.

First sergeants must undergo a 115 hour training course to serve as advisors to commanders about issues that impact Airmen. They are the eyes and ears of the squadron to ensure Airmen can successfully accomplish the Air Force mission.

“Dealing with everyday struggles of life is why first sergeants exist,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Duffy, 97th Training Squadron first sergeant. “They verify that the commander has a mission ready force. It’s dealing with everything that happens outside of the operational lane that the commander deals with. It takes a total force to accomplish the mission so first sergeants are responsible for the well-being of everyone in their unit not just junior enlisted.”

Accomplishing the mission is only done when Airmen are completely focused on their work and first sergeant’s are there to aid with that.

“Sometimes an event in a Airman's life is like reading a good book,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Zachary Merkl, 97th Force Support Squadron, 97th Communications Squadron, 97th Contracting Squadron and 97th Wing Staff Agency first sergeant. “They get so into it that they have the book right in their face and they can't see anything else. So a first sergeant helps them by grabbing that book and pushing it back a little. The Airman can still read the story and also see the outside world.”

The first sergeants are a vital asset to a commander’s arsenal used to accomplishing the mission. Simply by having a single person assigned for the well-being of Airmen.

“As a commander I oversee Airmen’s work life and their off-duty life, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Christopher Brumfield, 97th Comptroller Squadron commander. “I need two different people to help me out with each one of these tasks. Superintendents make sure Airmen are learning and accomplishing their job. First sergeants make sure that they are in the right mind set to do their job and they are always there for the Airmen.”

This role is not the normal nine-to-five job. The duty requires them to be available at any time, anywhere.

“If you are a first sergeant, it is a 24/7, 365 days a year job,” said Merkl. “At times it can run through the middle of the night or can take you to a different state. It can put a person in some unexpected situations and everyday is different from the last.”

With multiple first sergeants spread over several squadrons, it allows them to better manage Airmen in different squadrons.

“The good thing about having a variety of first sergeants at a base is the first sergeant council,” said Duffy. “Some have been a first sergeant for years and some are brand new. With our combined knowledge and experience it allows us to fix issues with our Airmen faster and easier. Everyone benefits from this and the mission gets accomplished”

First sergeants are also responsible to support the members of the base who are deployed overseas.

“Its important that we stay in contact with our deployed members and sometimes we send them little care packages,” said Duffy. “We also make sure that their families are taken care of and are kept up to date with the unit and events on base. Even though they are deployed, they’re still members of this base and should be treated as such.”

Regardless of where an Airman is at, it is important for them to be well rounded in their off-duty and on-duty time. First sergeants are there to assist Airmen achieve their goals.

“You need balance in your life, so it can't be all work or all fun,” said Merkl. “We need balance to achieve the mission and when we aren't, it’s hard to stay focused on what we are trying to accomplish as an Air Force.”

First sergeants are essential to any base because they ensure that Airmen are ready to fully accomplish the mission. So if an Airman needs to talk to a first sergeant about health, morale, readiness or disciplinary needs, they are ready to help guide them to keep the mission going.