Course prepares acting first sergeants for demanding task

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AFB, Fla. --  The duty position of first sergeant has many stressors of its own, but what about those who fill in for the first sergeant when he's out of the office? 

In addition to their current job, acting first sergeants have all of the responsibilities of a first sergeant, without the official first sergeant training. 

That is why the Acting First Sergeant Certification Course here, a three-day training program for those taking on this responsibility, was created. 

"The course does not replace the First Sergeant Academy," said Master Sgt. John Ross, 325th Communications Squadron first sergeant. "It helps the senior NCOs and selects serve as a first sergeant when needed." 

The certification course is for senior noncommissioned officers and senior NCO selects recommended by their first sergeants for acting first sergeant duties. It also provides training to NCOs acting as first sergeants in units that are too small to have one assigned. 

"The course was set up by the first sergeants council and is adapted to meet the current needs of the wing," said Sergeant Ross. 

The course is taught here quarterly by Tyndall's first sergeants and base agencies, such as Life Skills and Security Forces. Approximately, 80 NCOs are trained per year here. 

Some of the topics covered in the three days are personnel issues, financial responsibilities, unfavorable information files and first sergeant response actions. The class members are also provided the opportunity to ask questions to a commanders' panel and first sergeants' panel. The last day of the course provides them a chance to put their new found knowledge to the test with a role play scenario. 

However, knowledge is not the only thing the acting first sergeants take away from the course. The acting first sergeants receive a first sergeants guide with a list of contacts for base agencies and first sergeants, a Uniform Code of Military Justice guide, a copy of the course slides and handouts from base agencies. 

These guides can prove very valuable to them while performing first sergeant duties.
"The course sets them up for success," said Sergeant Ross. "We provide a network of support for them. This network is critical to their success." 

"The slides were a good reference," said Senior Master Sgt. Wil Black, 325th CS support flight chief, who has been an acting first sergeant on numerous occasions. "However, the biggest help was the contacts. I knew where to go when I needed help." 

"We are all here to help each other," said Sergeant Ross. 

Sergeant Ross also said the duties of a first sergeant or active first sergeant can be very rewarding. 

"If I am helping someone, it's a great thing," he said.