To: LindyBill who wrote (106181 ) 3/27/2005 10:40:05 AM From: unclewest Read Replies (1) | Respond to Everyone who has served understands the importance of First Sergeants. They are the key to keeping military orgs functioning at a high level of efficiency. They had extraordinary latitude in decision making, correcting minor offenses and supervising a unit's NCO Corps. March 26, 2005: Continuing its program to force senior NCOs to take the job of first sergeant, the U.S. Air Force has identified 368 candidates for the next years "draft." Out of this group, 120 will be selected for training. Last year, 290 candidates were selected, and 73 were convinced to “volunteer.” In the army and air force, the first sergeant is the senior NCO in a company size (100-300 troops) organization. In the last decade, as more of the troops became female, or married, first sergeants found their jobs becoming more complicated, and fewer air force NCOs were applying for the position. Three years ago, the air force found itself with a growing shortage of senior NCOs willing to become first sergeants. Normally, once you became a first sergeant, you stayed one until you retired, or got promoted to the highest enlisted rank (E-9, or sergeant major). You can retire at 20 years, or 30 if you want a larger pension. So the air force changed the job to a temporary one, like recruiting duty. Commanders interviewed the selectees, and about a quarter of them are excused, either because they are adamant about not wanting the job, or because the commander believes they would not be suitable for the job.
