First Sergeant leadership develops enlisted force

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  You've heard it before, and it's true; our enlisted force is the best in the world and the envy of Air Forces around the globe. Over the years, through education, experience and leadership training, we've developed strong and highly effective leaders. Our first sergeants are at the tip of the spear in terms of providing the leadership that will inevitably cause our enlisted force to maintain our edge. 

Before I continue please understand I am not saying the leadership and mentoring our officer corps, senior noncommissioned officer corps and noncommissioned officer Corps exhibited daily is not important; on the contrary they are extremely important. However, the first sergeant position is a critical leadership position that is directly tied to the success of an organization. 

Throughout history, first sergeants have enforced standards, maintained good order and discipline, and given great care to our enlisted. This holds true today, but the perception of our first sergeants has changed dramatically since my inception into the Air Force. As an airman, the only time I was summoned to my first sergeant's office or if he even spoke to me was if I was in trouble. Little did I know then, administering discipline is a very small part of the duties of a first sergeant and it's the part they don't enjoy executing. Master Sgt. Mark Holling, 60th Aerospace Medical Squadron first sergeant, told me he spent a great deal of time, as most "Shirts" do, making sure his Airmen knows he'd rather be giving them a pat on the back, helping his commander congratulate their newest promotees, or helping Airmen, their supervisors and families get through rough situations than administering discipline. 

For Sergeant Holling and the rest of Team Travis first sergeants, being a first sergeant means remembering faces, the problems and the hurts you tried to help as best you could. Seeing people grow and step up to the challenge of leadership. Watching an Airman become a supervisor or a young man become a proud father. Wanting everyone to succeed - regretting the ones that wouldn't live up to their potential, or even try. Watching the real leaders do more than their share - again, and again and again. Crying at a funeral or praying at an accident, and hoping the ambulance that just went by isn't carrying one of your folks. Talking to the parents or spouse of someone who wasn't so fortunate. Watching a family go through the throes of pregnancy, and gently holding the proud parents' new son or daughter. Watching someone's eyes moisten when you hand them a new set of stripes and a line number. Learning to listen to the underlying emotions, not just the words. Trying to discern when someone's pulling your leg - and hoping they aren't. And never, ever knowing what the next call, or the next day, will bring. 

Of course, if someone's in trouble, chances are the shirt is involved.
I believe it takes a special kind of person to be great first sergeant. Team Travis is fortunate, we have great first sergeants. Shirts, thank you for all you do for our Airmen and their families. 

Team Travis have a great weekend, be safe and make responsible choices...see you around campus. The next time you see a first sergeant tell them thanks. Sergeant Holling, thanks for assisting me with this article.