How well do you know your first sergeant?

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE —1 Diamond Notes is typically a monthly column from the 27th Special Operations Wing's first sergeants. This month's has been written on their behalf. The first sergeant is a special leadership position held by senior noncommissioned officers. They report directly to the commander as his or her adviser concerning the enlisted force. He or she is responsible for morale, welfare and conduct of all enlisted members in the unit.

U.S. Air Force photo: Senior Airman Alexxis Pons Abascal

U.S. Air Force first sergeants with the 27th Special Operations Wing gather for a group photo in front of the wing building Dec. 14 at Cannon Air Force Base. The December Diamond Notes article featured quotes from first sergeants throughout the installation letting Air Commandos know why each shirt proudly serves their troops.

They act as principal advisors to their respective unit commanders on all issues related to the enlisted force. This special duty assignment allows the meritorious few to exercise general supervision over assigned personnel. First sergeants provide commanders with a mission-ready force at Cannon Air Force Base capable of executing the wing's critical mission.

These men and women, who proudly wear the diamond, must remain vigilant and able to resolve issues that could adversely impact the readiness of their Airmen within the 27th Special Operations Wing. Their scope of knowledge covers, but is not limited to: health, esprit de corps, discipline, mentoring, wellbeing, career progression, professional development and recognition.

First sergeants work alongside other senior noncommissioned officers to ensure the needs of the enlisted force are routinely met. They work as liaisons between base agencies to make sure select services are available to all unit members. They manage the care and upkeep of unit dormitories and along with regular inspections, coordinate quality of life initiatives for unaccompanied Airmen.

These stellar Air Force members work closely with the command chief to ensure enlisted troops understand and are prepared to execute Cannon's mission.

Cannon's first sergeants work diligently all year long to provide for their troops and boost morale across the installation. Four Airmen are recognized each month by respective shirts as part of the Diamond Sharp award program. In addition, the first sergeants donate $1,000 annually to provide funding for quarterly and annual award events.

Throughout 2012, Cannon's first sergeants provided more than $17,000 through Friends of Cannon Family which aids in unforeseen Airman emergencies and supports Operation Warm Heart events. They also provided 350 holiday baskets to Air Commandos and worked with Cannon Spouses Club to identify and distribute holiday gifts to families within the Cannon community under the Angel Tree program.

When it comes to the Airmen at Cannon, the first sergeants provided several hundred dollars for dorm parties and partnered with the Protestant Women of the Chapel and the Cannon chapel to hand out more than 10,000 cookies to dorm Airmen.

In addition, the first sergeants also teamed up with Esther Steinle to send 22 Airmen home for the holidays as part of the Angel Arms program.

Cannon's very own first sergeants were asked what inspired them to take on this special duty and what motivates them to continuously provide for their Airmen. Here is what the wing's first sergeants had to say:

"As a first sergeant, our mission is Airmen. We take care of their basic needs to ensure they are prepared to complete the squadron's mission. We do our best to identify negative issues before they become problems. We provide the pulse of the enlisted force to the commander and mentorship for the officers. During disciplinary actions, we are the sage advice that reminds everyone to seek the least amount of discipline required to correct the behavior. During personal crisis we listen, provide emotional support and appropriate referrals to resolve the issue so the Airmen can once again focus on the mission. We lead from the front and are the champions of the core values. These are just a few of the reasons that serving in the first sergeant position is widely considered the best enlisted position in the Air Force." — Senior Master Sgt. George Jones, 3rd Special Operations Squadron first sergeant.

"A first sergeant is a unique breed. We have to be a mother, a father, a brother or a sister. We have to discipline troops when they make the wrong choices, yet pick them up when they fall down. Right or wrong, we are on their side. We are also a one-stop shop for information. If someone has questions, we can find answers. A first sergeant is like a human Google search engine. We work long hours and make ourselves available to our Airmen 24/7. There are 1,440 minutes in a day and a first sergeant finds a way to provide for their Airmen each one of those minutes. We do this because we want to and not because we have to. Our number one priority is our people!" — Master Sgt. William Aronowitz, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron first sergeant.

"First sergeants take care of the most important asset in the Air Force - PEOPLE! My job is to help troops get what they need, whenever they need, so they can accomplish the mission. In addition, my job extends to families — supporting a military member also means offering support to their family. When in doubt, call the shirt!" — Master Sgt. Sheronne King, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant.

"I love being a first sergeant - knowing I can and have made a difference in somebody's life, career, family, or even put a smile on their face for the day, those are the priceless rewards of doing this job. What you do today will affect you tomorrow. Work hard and play hard as long as you're responsible. Sometimes you just have to embrace the suck no matter how difficult it may become - others will soon follow." — Master Sgt. Stacy Glatt, 727th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant.

"Being a first sergeant is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs I have ever had the pleasure of doing. As a relatively new shirt at Cannon, it never ceases to amaze me how involved my fellow first sergeants are around the instillation and in the local community. The influence and mentorship of the first sergeant far exceeds anything I ever imagined and I am proud to have joined the ranks of these professionals. I have the extreme honor of working with some of the sharpest, most professional Airmen and I am proud to be their shirt. I often remind my defenders to never forget why you joined the Air Force; never forget how proud you were the day you graduated from basic training and tech school, and how proud you were the day you earned your badge and beret. If you find yourself in trouble and digging yourself into a hole, stop digging and call someone. If you keep on digging, you will only find yourself in a deeper hole." — Master Sgt. Adam Clingan, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron first sergeant.

"I do my best to ensure that all my people, members and families, have access to the support they need to make the best of their time in the military." — Master Sgt. Dominique Derr, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Operations Squadron first sergeant.

"There is no other job where you're given an opportunity to take someone out of a bad situation and drastically improve their overall quality of life. You get to see the immediate impact of your work and you know you made a difference in the lives of your people." — Master Sgt. Kevin Lemieux, 56th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron first sergeant.

"I am here to help and serve the Airmen in my unit with anything they need, whether it be medical, personal, financial, or family support so that they can continue to concentrate on the mission of the 27th Special Operations Wing and keep their heads in the game." — Master Sgt. Patrick Goodwin, 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant.

"What is a first sergeant? In a nutshell, it is being a parent, a counselor and a problem-solver all rolled into one. As an Air Commando first sergeant, my job is to provide a healthy and disciplined force to the unit commander first and in turn, the Air Force Special Operations Command and commanders so they can execute the special operations missions they receive from Higher Headquarters. I ensure the force is physically, mentally and spiritually fit by interacting with Airmen on a daily basis and providing them with guidance and assistance when it is needed." — Master Sgt. Jon Tolle, 27th Special Operations Medical Group first sergeant.

"As a first sergeant, my job is to help take the rocks out of the ruck sacks, so the troops can do their jobs easier." — Master Sgt. Michael Cline, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant.

"If I could sum up what I do and what I love doing in one word it would be "mentorship". It is extremely gratifying to be in a position where your guidance, opinions and expertise are used or requested up and down the chain of command daily! As a first sergeant, my duties change daily. I can be an evaluator or instructor, line flyer or first sergeant; I am constantly changing my focus on what needs to be accomplished for my people and my unit. At any time, my people can come to me for assistance in their personal or professional lives." — Master Sgt. Daniel Cruz, 20th Special Operations Squadron first sergeant.

"Seeing that young Airman finally "get it" is what it's about. Watching the "professional Airman" light turn on and witnessing them go forward a new Air Commando is the reason I do what I do." — Master Sgt. Adam Bolen, 551st Special Operations Squadron first sergeant.

"In my opinion, the best part about being a first sergeant is counseling. No, I don't mean the corrective counseling aspect. There is no better feeling than helping our Airmen through non-clinical counseling, problem solving, stress mitigation and healthy communication. The trust and rapport that is established between a first sergeant and their troop is one that truly amazes me. Most of the time, the Airman has the answer - they just need you to actively listen as they lay out their plan and seek concurrence. It just so happens that listening is a first sergeant's forte! I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. My Airmen make me a better person. I can think of no job as rewarding as being a shirt and serving so many wonderful people in today's Air Force." — Master Sgt. Jason Vinson, 33rd Special Operations Squadron first sergeant.