If you’re an Air Force master sergeant looking for an exciting, career-broadening opportunity, then I have the answer for you.
The Ramstein Career Assistance Advisor’s office is sponsoring a First Sergeant Recruiting Seminar Tuesday.
The seminar will provide interested personnel with information about the many positive aspects of the first sergeant career field, including the screening and application process.
Being a first sergeant in today’s Air Force has been the most rewarding job I have had in my career and one of the most a senior noncommissioned officer can do, and is both professionally and personally satisfying beyond all expectations.
It is a three-year special duty with the possibility to extend for an additional three years, and offers qualifying master sergeants the chance to step outside of their AFSC to become a key enlisted leader.
Freed from operational and production requirements, the first sergeant focuses on enlisted issues within the unit. Also known as “the shirt,” he or she advises the commander on topics such as morale, discipline, recognition and the professional development of enlisted members.
He or she also makes sure the enlisted force understands the commander’s policies, goals and objectives.
“The shirt” works closely with fellow SNCOs, supervisors, and base agencies to maintain a mission-ready enlisted force. This unique position offers leadership experience few other master sergeants receive.
“The first sergeant is an extremely valuable member in a successful organization. They serve as the commanders eyes, ears and conscious. Just as a suspension bridge connects two vibrant cities, the first sergeant bridges all gaps between organizational leadership and the people,” said Col. Angela Thompson, 435th Medical Group commander.
The first sergeant position is also a very challenging one that requires a great deal of commitment and personal sacrifice.
As a first sergeant, you will frequently work long hours and often get called away from family and friends late at night and on weekends.
Sometimes, you must put aside personal beliefs to ensure discipline is fair and equitable across the unit. As a first sergeant, you must always be prepared to put the needs of the unit and its enlisted force ahead of your own.
However, the demands of this challenging and prestigious position are out weighted by the satisfaction you get from helping a person who was in desperate need just days earlier and are now in your office telling you, “Thanks, ‘Shirt,’ I am doing so much better now and don’t feel like the weight of the world is on me.”
“The sacrifices of our ‘shirts’ and their families are enormous. However, conquering the toughest challenges offers the greatest fulfillment and that’s what being a first sergeant offers,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mitch Stippel, 435th Air Base Wing command chief.
“The shirt” is often the first person to respond to a crisis and receives training to deal with a variety of situations.
“First sergeants are an integral part of the service delivery process for the Airman & Family Readiness Center. The time they take and energy they expand in support of the center enables thousands of Airmen and their families to get the assistance needed to become self sufficient,” said Gayle Brinkley, Airman & Family Readiness Center chief. “They endorse our visibility and opportunity to reach out to the Airmen in your units, thus maintaining readiness capability.”
It can sometimes be difficult to talk to people about their personal difficulties, but knowing you have the ability to point them in the right direction and help make a difference in their lives makes it much easier.
Although it’s never fun to pass on a Red Cross message telling someone a loved one is very ill, it’s heartwarming when you can ensure the member will get home to be with their family during trying times. Though it’s a tough job, it’s good to know that you can help our Airmen and their families when they need it most.
“The American Red Cross has a close working relationship with first sergeants in assisting servicemembers in times of emergency. Though the Emergency Communication Messages the Red Cross delivers may contain information on ill or injured family members, we are always confident the servicemember is in good hands and will be taken care of by his or her first sergeant,” said Austin Young, assistant station manager, Red Cross Ramstein.
The experience you gain as a first sergeant will undoubtedly make you a better leader. And, after three or six years, you can take that experience and leadership skill back to your original career field.
This benefits you, your gaining unit, your career field and ultimately, the Air Force.
“The role and importance of the first sergeant cannot be overstated,” said Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald, 86th Airlift Wing command chief. “Throughout my career, I have developed a deep appreciation and gratitude for first sergeants. I constantly find myself relying on these enlisted leaders for advice and assistance.”
Everyone has their mission within a unit from supervisors and superintendents to first sergeants and commanders, but the first sergeant is the only position with the sole responsibility of ensuring the health, morale, welfare and discipline of Airmen.
If you have a passion for taking care of people, if you desire to directly impact the lives of Airmen, if you embrace new challenges, you may have what it takes to be a first sergeant. The Air Force needs people willing to make a difference.
The upcoming first sergeant recruiting seminar will be a great way to find out more about this exciting career field.
The seminar will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday in Bldg. 2402 (where base INTRO is currently held). Priority will be given to master sergeants who are within 10 to 15 months from their DEROS, but any interested master sergeant may attend.
To find out more information about the seminar, contact the Career Assistance Advisor, Senior Master Sgt. Joel Tilley at
480-9472. Before enrolling in the seminar, you must ensure your first sergeant is aware.
(Courtesy of the KMC First Sergeants’ Council)
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News for the Ramstein, Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl & Baumholder military communities in Germany 
If you’re an Air Force master sergeant looking for an exciting, career-broadening opportunity, then I have the answer for you.
The Ramstein Career Assistance Advisor’s office is sponsoring a First Sergeant Recruiting Seminar Tuesday.
The seminar will provide interested personnel with information about the many positive aspects of the first sergeant career field, including the screening and application process.
Being a first sergeant in today’s Air Force has been the most rewarding job I have had in my career and one of the most a senior noncommissioned officer can do, and is both professionally and personally satisfying beyond all expectations.
It is a three-year special duty with the possibility to extend for an additional three years, and offers qualifying master sergeants the chance to step outside of their AFSC to become a key enlisted leader.
Freed from operational and production requirements, the first sergeant focuses on enlisted issues within the unit. Also known as “the shirt,” he or she advises the commander on topics such as morale, discipline, recognition and the professional development of enlisted members.
He or she also makes sure the enlisted force understands the commander’s policies, goals and objectives.
“The shirt” works closely with fellow SNCOs, supervisors, and base agencies to maintain a mission-ready enlisted force. This unique position offers leadership experience few other master sergeants receive.
“The first sergeant is an extremely valuable member in a successful organization. They serve as the commanders eyes, ears and conscious. Just as a suspension bridge connects two vibrant cities, the first sergeant bridges all gaps between organizational leadership and the people,” said Col. Angela Thompson, 435th Medical Group commander.
The first sergeant position is also a very challenging one that requires a great deal of commitment and personal sacrifice.
As a first sergeant, you will frequently work long hours and often get called away from family and friends late at night and on weekends.
Sometimes, you must put aside personal beliefs to ensure discipline is fair and equitable across the unit. As a first sergeant, you must always be prepared to put the needs of the unit and its enlisted force ahead of your own.
However, the demands of this challenging and prestigious position are out weighted by the satisfaction you get from helping a person who was in desperate need just days earlier and are now in your office telling you, “Thanks, ‘Shirt,’ I am doing so much better now and don’t feel like the weight of the world is on me.”
“The sacrifices of our ‘shirts’ and their families are enormous. However, conquering the toughest challenges offers the greatest fulfillment and that’s what being a first sergeant offers,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mitch Stippel, 435th Air Base Wing command chief.
“The shirt” is often the first person to respond to a crisis and receives training to deal with a variety of situations.
“First sergeants are an integral part of the service delivery process for the Airman & Family Readiness Center. The time they take and energy they expand in support of the center enables thousands of Airmen and their families to get the assistance needed to become self sufficient,” said Gayle Brinkley, Airman & Family Readiness Center chief. “They endorse our visibility and opportunity to reach out to the Airmen in your units, thus maintaining readiness capability.”
It can sometimes be difficult to talk to people about their personal difficulties, but knowing you have the ability to point them in the right direction and help make a difference in their lives makes it much easier.
Although it’s never fun to pass on a Red Cross message telling someone a loved one is very ill, it’s heartwarming when you can ensure the member will get home to be with their family during trying times. Though it’s a tough job, it’s good to know that you can help our Airmen and their families when they need it most.
“The American Red Cross has a close working relationship with first sergeants in assisting servicemembers in times of emergency. Though the Emergency Communication Messages the Red Cross delivers may contain information on ill or injured family members, we are always confident the servicemember is in good hands and will be taken care of by his or her first sergeant,” said Austin Young, assistant station manager, Red Cross Ramstein.
The experience you gain as a first sergeant will undoubtedly make you a better leader. And, after three or six years, you can take that experience and leadership skill back to your original career field.
This benefits you, your gaining unit, your career field and ultimately, the Air Force.
“The role and importance of the first sergeant cannot be overstated,” said Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald, 86th Airlift Wing command chief. “Throughout my career, I have developed a deep appreciation and gratitude for first sergeants. I constantly find myself relying on these enlisted leaders for advice and assistance.”
Everyone has their mission within a unit from supervisors and superintendents to first sergeants and commanders, but the first sergeant is the only position with the sole responsibility of ensuring the health, morale, welfare and discipline of Airmen.
If you have a passion for taking care of people, if you desire to directly impact the lives of Airmen, if you embrace new challenges, you may have what it takes to be a first sergeant. The Air Force needs people willing to make a difference.
The upcoming first sergeant recruiting seminar will be a great way to find out more about this exciting career field.
The seminar will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday in Bldg. 2402 (where base INTRO is currently held). Priority will be given to master sergeants who are within 10 to 15 months from their DEROS, but any interested master sergeant may attend.
To find out more information about the seminar, contact the Career Assistance Advisor, Senior Master Sgt. Joel Tilley at
480-9472. Before enrolling in the seminar, you must ensure your first sergeant is aware.
(Courtesy of the KMC First Sergeants’ Council)