FIRST SERGEANT ACADEMYOur Job Is People, Everyone is our Business

Integrity – Service – Excellence

The First Sergeant

Position

First Sergeant Academy

OVERVIEW

HistoryDevelopment of DutiesThe Air Force First Sergeant (1947-

present)

First Sergeant Academy

OUR STARTING POINT

THE FIRST SERGEANT HAS ALWAYS HELD A HIGHLY VISIBLE AND

DISTINCTIVE, ALBEIT NOTORIOUS, POSITION IN THE MILITARY UNIT.

First Sergeant Academy

OUR STARTING POINT

Roman Legion CenturionsFirst mention of soldiers responsible for

disciplining troopsLead soldier for 100 menCarried unit’s legions on long poles called

standardsFinal defenders of legion’s standards during battleConduit between officers and enlisted

First Sergeant Academy

17th Century Prussian Army FeldwebelOverseer of enlisted personnelAssigned at company levelKnowledgeable of dutiesAccountability of peopleContinuity of company commanderAuthorized to use cane to instill discipline

How are first sergeants viewed today?

OUR STARTING POINT

First Sergeant Academy

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

General Washington: Battled with unit ineffectiveness / desertion

General Baron Von Stuben of Prussian ArmyTactics in training and drillRequired high degree of disciplineTask given to first sergeantCompany first sergeant

“Blue Book of Regulation”

First Sergeant Academy

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

“Blue Book of Regulations”Duties / responsibilities of company membersKey personnelNames, height, jobs, addresses of personnel

First Sergeant Academy

DUTIES

Original First Sergeant Duties Maintain duty rosterTake daily ordersComplete morning rosterBe acquainted with all personnelBe availableMaintain company’s descriptive books

First Sergeant Academy

CHANGES OF 1832-1847

Wore red sash around the waistNew pay scale – $15.00/monthSgt. Majors, Quartermaster Sergeants, & Chief

Musicians received $16/month1847– authorized chevrons on jacket and

wear of the lozenge (diamond) on the insignia

First Sergeant Academy

COL CHARLES A. ROMEYN

Requirements of the “Best First Sergeant”SobrietyLoyaltyAlways on the job!Knowledge of paperworkPhysically activeSympathetic & tactfulMarksman & horsemanship

First Sergeant Academy

CHANGES FROM 1947 TO PRESENT

1947– formal position and AFSC (731X0) vs. rankE-6 and above could hold position1960 – AFSC changed to 10090 / opened to all

AFSC’s1971– only E-7’s, FSA optional1985– mandatory completion of FSAGraduates prior to 03A can stay indefinitely2002– officially became a special duty

First Sergeant Academy

Roles and Responsibilities• Expeditionary Leader• Advisor to the Commander• Sets the example

First Sergeant Academy

Roles and Responsibilities

• Your position as the unit First Sergeant will give you an extreme amount of authority and you must be careful how you use it.

First Sergeant Academy

Air Force Core Values• Integrity First– Willingness– Courage– Honesty– Responsibility– Accountability– Justice– Openness– Self-respect– Humility

First Sergeant Academy

Air Force Core Values• Service Before Self– Rule following– Respect for others–Discipline and self control– Faith in the system

First Sergeant Academy

Air Force Core Values• Excellence in All We Do– Product/service excellence– Personal excellence– Community excellence– Resource excellence– Operational excellence

First Sergeant Academy

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you

are a leader“ John Quincy

Adams

FIRST SERGEANT ACADEMYOur Job Is People, Everyone is our Business

Integrity – Service – Excellence

QUESTIONS?

First Sergeant Academy

Summary

HistoryRoles and Responsibilities The Air Force First Sergeant (1947-present)