Symposium provides insight to prospective shirts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexis Millican
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Moody first sergeants hosted a three-day symposium at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., to help prepare prospective first sergeants for the job.

The symposium showcased many different resources available on base to help Airmen as well as educate technical and master sergeants on what the duties of a first sergeant entail.

"The purpose of the symposium was to get those who are [selected], or who are filling in [for first sergeants, to] attend and learn the duties of a first sergeant," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Vivian Hirt, 23d Medical Group first sergeant. "We bring in the different referral agencies and have them talk about what they do and how they can help Airmen," said Hirt. "Just a few of the briefings we set up are: Family Advocacy, Mental Health, Airman and Family Readiness Center, JAG, and Office of Special Investigations.

"Having a variety of information gives the attendees examples of what they may expect as a first sergeant, and it also gives them the resources they may need to help out their Airmen," she added.

Throughout multiple briefings each day, attendees had the opportunity to hear stories from first sergeants and ask questions on how they handled certain situations.

"There is so much great information given during this course," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Lane, 23d Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of fuels. "This symposium not only gave us great resources and information, but it let us hear from current first sergeants about some of the things they have to deal with."

Lane added the symposium only reaffirmed his desire to become a first sergeant and that he feels the course should be longer than just three days.

Given the positive feedback and increased need, the symposium will now be hosted twice a year as opposed to only once. The next symposium is currently scheduled for September 2014.

Both Hirt and Lane encourage all technical and master sergeants to let their leadership know if they are interested in becoming a first sergeant.