The shirt that binds a unit together Published Jan. 27, 2009 By Senior Airman Erica Stewart 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) -- "The (first sergeant) is the glue that binds a unit together," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley in "The Enlisted Perspective" published May 5, 2008. In that same document, the service's top enlisted member touched on this career field's dwindling numbers. "Currently, the Air Force is in dire need of first sergeants," Chief McKinley said. Just like the complex molecular structure of glue, a first sergeant, or "shirt", has to be made of distinct qualities to successfully complete their role in the Air Force mission. It is speculated that the term "shirt" derived from colonial times. "In spite of the fact that the Air Force is a fairly young service, nobody seems to know where the nickname 'shirt' originated," said Master Sgt. Stephen Barsalou, the first sergeant for 39th Wing staff agencies. "One theory is that the term dates back to colonial times; when supplies would come in, the top sergeant would get the 'first shirt' before the rest of the troops did." Getting the "first shirt" was a sign of respect long ago; however, the role of today's "shirt" is completely different. "A 'shirt' has to be able to multitask and is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Master Sgt. Douglas Koonst, the 39th Communications Squadron first sergeant. Though this sounds like a tireless job, it doesn't come without training. "To become a 'shirt,' you have to put in a formal package, be endorsed by your command chief, have completed your professional military education and, finally, be formally interviewed," Sergeant Barsalou said. "If you're accepted, you attend the Air Force First Sergeant Academy where you learn skills necessary to fullfill a three-year commitment to be an effective 'shirt' during a three-week course. According to the Air Force First Sergeants Academy official Web site, "shirts" learn to dedicate their time and energy to the needs, health, morale, discipline and welfare of Air Force members. "Though the school teaches us how to properly handle almost any situation -- be it a personal or professional matter -- the basic instinct is already there if you truly love to help others and that's what makes a good 'shirt,'" Sergeant Barsalou said. Even though the job isn't turning wrenches on the flightline or diffusing bombs down range, a first sergeant's service is critical to the Air Force mission. "It is different not being able to watch my plane take off on a mission at the end of my day," Sergeant Koonst said. "Instead, I leave the office with a different, but satisfied feeling inside knowing that some way, somehow, I have helped someone out or had a positive impact on my unit." For more information on the first sergeant program, please contact your squadron's first sergeant, or the wing's command chief. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page