First sergeants boost morale during ORI

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Wolf
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Despite the heat and humidity during the July operational readiness mini-exercise and inspection, one group of Airmen could be seen smiling even through the chemical gear - the first sergeants.

Throughout the wing exercises and inspections the 442nd Fighter Wing first sergeants had one goal: To boost morale. To do this, they loaded up a van full of snacks, coffee and water and headed out to the play area.

"When we started this last year, we didn't have a van so we just walked around and talked to the Airmen," said 1st Sgt. (Senior Master Sgt.) Kenneth Koyles, 442nd Maintenance Squadron. "We passed out some hard candy too."

Back then, it was much harder for the first sergeants to make their way around the entire play area on foot. In July however, they were given a van, which they used to their full potential. They took snacks and smiles to the flight line, deployed medical facility, services tent, civil engineers squadron and S-6 - where security forces, emergency operations center (EOC) and the installation control center (ICC) were located.

In many ways, the first sergeants didn't know what they were providing to the troops, many of which were flight line maintainers hoping for a quick break between preparing jets for sorties and performing routine maintenance. For these maintainers, a few minutes to grab a snack, some cold water and a quick conversation provided the boost they needed.

Chief Master Sgt. Steve Brazeal was in a work vehicle with two other supervisors when the first sergeants approached them during the exercise July 8.

As the chief stepped out of the truck, he began to smile.

"When you're stuck out of the flight line, there's not a coffee pot anywhere nearby, so it was nice to have some hot coffee that morning," he said.

Despite the morning pick-me-up, Chief Brazeal said he knew the first sergeants had a bigger, more important purpose than to just provide snacks and drinks to the hard-working Airmen.

"They were looking out for us," he said. "They provided fresh water to the facilities; it kept Airmen refreshed and kept them going."

Col. Mark Clemons, 442nd FW commander, agreed when he said the first sergeants exemplified the spirit of the 442nd FW.

"On their own fruition and beyond their call of duty, the first sergeants provided a service that you cannot put a dollar figure on nor calculate the impact," he said. "They took the initiative to provide for their folks - their family."

Taking care of Airmen is an important aspect of the first sergeant philosophy.

"(This) set a positive example for taking care of your people," Chief Brazeal said.

Passing out snacks and visiting with Airmen 24 hours a day during the exercises and inspections boosted the morale and welfare of Airmen, said Command Chief Master Sgt. Allan Sturges.

"During the ORI, our first sergeants did exactly what they would do if we were truly in combat," Chief Sturges said. "They took care of our Airmen, and just like the rest of the wing, they did a phenomenal job."

While driving through the flight line during the exercise, Sergeant Koyles and 1st Sgt. (Master Sgt.) Donald Butler, 442nd Fighter Wing, made it a point to let Airmen know that they appreciated their hard work.

"They're the ones doing the real work - not us," Sergeant Koyles said.
Col. Clemons said he didn't exactly agree though.

"I heard so many stories of how the 'Shirts' navigated through the ORI war to boost the morale with little more than some sustenance and words of encouragement," the colonel said. "This provides an example to all what just a few popsicles, snacks and encouragement can provide for the troops. They were a definite impact on this inspection."