Putting people first is job one for first shirts

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shannon Mann
  • 916th Air Refueling Wing
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. --  If you don’t like people then being a first sergeant is not for you. 

The 916th Air Refueling Wing is fortunate to have 11 trained first sergeants and three additional duty first sergeants among its ranks. These dedicated professionals come from various types of technical backgrounds and combined, have hundreds of years of experience. Being a first sergeant can sometimes be a grueling, challenging, low-rewards job, but it is an indispensable one for commanders and troops alike.
Senior Master Sgt. Lester Boltinhouse, first sergeant for the 916th Civil Engineering Squadron, has been a first sergeant for 12 years. His experiences are vast in this career field, from several successful deployments overseas to delivering the heart-wrenching news to family members that there loved ones have died. 

“It is an around the clock job,” Sergeant Boltinhouse said. “You have to love people. If you don’t love people then stay out of this job.” 

Sergeant Boltinhouse recently returned from a deployment to the United Arab Emirates, he said his experiences as a first sergeant in a deployed location differed somewhat from his role here at the 916th ARW. “Things happened faster in a deployed location then at home station,” he said. He explained that the nature of the Reserve weekend somewhat limited the information he received, but that in a deployed location he was handling issues and people 24/7. 

With his vast knowledge of the job, Sergeant Boltinhouse shares his experiences and expertise with newer first sergeants at the 916th such as Senior Master Sgt. Michael Hartsfield. 

Sergeant Hartsfield belonged to the civil engineering squadron and observed Sergeant Boltinhouse for many years before deciding he too wanted to become a first shirt.
Sergeant Hartsfield explained that being a first sergeant opened more doors on base for him when it came to dealing with people. 

“That diamond in the middle makes you instantly recognizable,” Sergeant Hartsfield said. “I can go anywhere and be recognized as a first sergeant. I am able to touch more than just my group.” 

Sergeant Hartsfield made his debut as a first sergeant with the 916hth Aero medical Dental Flight during the July unit training assembly. 

“The med flight has never had a first sergeant and I’ve never been a first sergeant,” said Sergeant Hartsfield who just completed the First Sergeant Academy in June. But lack of job knowledge hasn’t stopped him from setting ambitious goals and realizing what the job is all about. 

“My job is people, everyone is my business,” he said citing the First Sergeant Creed. “That really sums it up. This is my way to give back.”  Sergeant Hartsfield plans to meet all the newcomers, improve morale and get his people more involved with wing activities. 

He said he didn’t get involved with wing councils and activities early in his career, but he realizes everything these groups have done for him and his fellow Airmen and understands the importance of encouraging participation. 

Sergeant Hartsfield also added that becoming a first sergeant doesn’t happen just because you graduate from the academy. He said you are only considered a diamond-wearing NCO, becoming a true first sergeant takes years. 

Master Sgt. Carla Sanders, first sergeant for the 916th Operations Support Flight since 2003, echoed his sentiments indicating that to become a true first sergeant took years and years on the job. 

Sergeant Sanders had always been associated with flying squadrons and after many years as a career advisor wanted to try her hand at something new. 

“You build a strong rapport as a career advisor,” she said. “For me, the next logical step was to become a first sergeant.” Typically first sergeants move from one section to another and from one group to another, but Sergeant Sanders indicated her background in operations helped her understand the uniqueness of issues in an operations environment. 

Sergeant Sanders said that early in her career she didn’t know her first sergeant very well, nor the important role that person played in the section. She wanted to change that. “I try to be proactive versus reactive,” she said. 

She ensures all members have her cell phone number and that they can reach her at anytime. Her goal is to establish relationships and make sure people know she is there to help. 

Working in various sections and handling Airmen with different backgrounds and career fields can be a challenge for anyone, but first sergeants have a job that spans age and Air Force Specialty Codes. Sometimes they have to be tough and firm with people and sometimes they have to be the shoulder to cry on, but they are always their sections biggest cheerleader. 

“You have to love people. It can never be about you, it has to be about them,” Sergeant Hartsfield said. “I can’t imagine being anything else. I don’t think any other job would give me as much satisfaction.”