Three 39ABW SNCOs selected as first sergeants

  • Published
  • By By Lt. Col. Ann Stefanek
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Three 39th Air Base Wing senior noncommissioned officers have been selected for the highly competitive first sergeant special duty and will soon be attending the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base Gunther Training Annex in Montgomery, Ala.

First sergeants provide advice to commanders on a wide range of topics including the health, esprit de corps, discipline, mentoring, well being, career progression, recognition and professional development of all assigned enlisted members. First sergeants are on call 24 hours a day and have long and irregular duty hours.

Master Sgt. Harold Carnley and Master Sgt. Christopher Greek, 39th Security Forces Squadron flight chiefs, and Master Sgt. Juanita Thomas, 425th Air Base Group Commander's Executive Assistant are the wing's newest first sergeant selectees.

"I believe these Senior NCOs will make great first sergeants, explained Chief Master Sergeant Jeffrey Antwine, 39 ABW command chief. "All excel in their career fields and have tremendous interpersonal skills."

Speaking with the Wing Command Chief is the first step in the application process.

"I talk to every individual interested in becoming a first sergeant," Chief Antwine said.
"I make sure they know the stringent criteria and are interested in becoming a first sergeant for the right reasons. Then, I make sure all potential applicants "shadow" a first sergeant so they have a clear idea of the sacrifices required."

Once an Airman applies and is recommended by all levels of the chain of command, their application is sent to the Air Force Personnel Center for approval. All approved applicants will then be scheduled to attend the First Sergeants' Academy.

The academy teaches selectees the administrative and personnel skills they will need during their three year assignment as first sergeants.

"I decided to become a First Sergeant because I like helping people and I've been fulfilling many of the duties of a first sergeant for the past several years," said Master Sgt. Carnley. "As Security Forces flight chief, I'm responsible for 50 Airmen and NCOs. In that capacity, I'm already involved in dorm inspections, upgrade training, recommendations and personal counseling."

Master Sgt. Greek believes the lessons he learns and tools he gets as a first sergeant will help him be a better leader when he returns to his primary career field after fulfilling his first sergeant duty.

"I think I'll have a lot more knowledge about the legal system and the Air Force in general when I come back to security forces," he said. "This experience will help me become a well-rounded SNCO."

First sergeants are now selected for a period of three years. At the end of their tour, they may extend for an additional three years or go back to their primary career field. While a first sergeant, they will compete against other first sergeants for promotion and because the career field is competitively selected, it is harder to get promoted.

"I realize I'll be competing against the "best of the best" and it will be difficult to get promoted while I'm a first sergeant, but the experience will help me become a better leader and improve my board score when I go back to my career field," said Master Sgt. Greek.

According to Chief Antwine, Airmen may not realize the majority of a first sergeant's time is spent taking care of people. Instead, they automatically associate a first sergeant with disciplinary actions.

"As a first sergeant, I'll be able to concentrate fully on Airmen and helping them with their personnel issues from start-to-finish," explained Master Sgt. Carnley. "Right now my primary focus is mission accomplishment so I'm not always able to follow through on personnel issues."

Because of its high demands, the first sergeant career field is traditionally undermanned. 

"There is always a need for good, strong first sergeants." said Chief Antwine.