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Meet the 90th SFS First Sergeant

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Breanna Carter
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

It’s no secret that for a group of people to thrive peacefully, there usually needs to be an unbiased party that can bring an objective perspective. That is where our first sergeants come in to play. First sergeants are vital to the health and morale of the enlisted force, which contributes directly to mission success.

The 90th Security Forces Group has five first sergeants that cater to the needs of the enlisted force in each squadron.

Master Sgt. Andrew Wickerham, 90th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, is one of many that are fulfilling this important role.

Here’s what he had to say:

Q: How long have you been a first sergeant?

A: I’ve had my diamond for a little more than two years now.

Q: Can you explain how you got into this position?

A: I received my job through the Developmental Special Duty Program, which means I was nominated by my commander and then vetted through the Air Force Personnel Center. Then I was selected for the position. I also had the chance to fill in as acting shirt before I got my diamond. It was a great experience to get a taste of what it’s like.

Q: What all does this job entail?

A: This job is about health, morale and discipline, so it covers a wide range of things. We take care of Airmen that are having mental health problems, family issues or just need someone to talk to. We have a hand in awards, promotions and anything that deals with readiness. We also contribute to creating an environment that makes people feel comfortable and hopefully makes them enjoy coming to work.

Q: Can you describe a day in the life of a first sergeant?

A: You never really know what the day will hold. Sometimes it’s just staff meetings and interacting with Airmen. Other days, it involves getting late night phone calls from an Airmen that needs help or resources. We deal with a lot of situations where young Airmen need to take emergency leave. We can help coordinate that and get the member home. It all depends on the day because we have such a wide range of responsibilities.

Q: What's your favorite thing about this job?

A: My favorite thing is having the ability to free-flow through the squadron and go out to talk with the Airmen. Most of the time we are not normally assigned to a unit in our career field, so I like to see what the Airmen see and experience what they go through.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish or improve as a first sergeant?

A: I want to get to know the Airmen, the issues they face, their interests and their goals. My goal is to leave this unit with Airmen who are informed and know how to improve things around them rather than just go through the motions.