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Desert Lightning News July 31, 2015 7

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Need help?Trust your‘Shirt’

Senior Airman Devante Williams

56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona -- When young Airmen need help (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)
or are looking for guidance, a good place to start is with a senior NCO.
Making it into the top 3 percent in the U.S. Air Force is a major accom- one who is struggling or just needs someone to talk to when they are going
plishment. Although senior NCOs are the primary people to go, there are through a tough time. The appreciation I get from Airmen is amazing.”
a limited number of senior NCOs whose number one focus is to take care
of Airmen. They are called first sergeants, also known as “Shirts.” Beedle is now transitioning from first sergeant duties and going back to
her job in aircrew flight equipment. She says her time as a first sergeant will
According to the enlisted force structure, a first sergeant is a special position be one she’ll never forget.
and is one who is there to provide a dedicated focal point for all readiness, health,
morale, welfare and quality of life issues within their organization. “It’s been a pleasure and an honor,” she said. “The trust you hold by being
a first sergeant is huge. I’m glad I was able to be a first sergeant and help out
Being a first sergeant in the Air Force is a big responsibility, according to the EFS, as many Airmen as I could.”
and requires dedication. Master Sgt. Carmina Beedle, 56th Force Support Squad-
ron first sergeant, takes her work seriously and has a lot of territory to cover. Beedle has left a lasting impression on people, including Senior Master
Sgt. Sarah Tombley, 56th FSS Military Personnel section superintendent,
“As a first sergeant, I have visibility over multiple squadrons that I would have who worked closely with Beedle throughout her first sergeant term.
never seen if I wasn’t a first sergeant,” she said. “I get to see how different the shops
are and how they all contribute to accomplishing the Luke Air Force Base mission.” “My overall working experience with master sergeant Beedle has been out-
standing from day one,” she said. “Every time I had a question or a concern, she
Beedle and the other first sergeants on base work 24/7 for the members was always ready to help no matter what. She will surely be missed.”
in their units. Any time someone needs help in whatever capacity, they are
there to help and that covers a multitude of issues. Their purpose is to help
Airmen no matter what.

Occasionally, Airmen fear going to their first sergeant because they think
it might leave a negative mark on them, but Beedle encourages Airmen to
talk to their first sergeants.

“I love helping Airmen,” she said. “It’s an amazing feeling to help some-

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