Special duties at Hurlburt Field: First Sergeant Published Dec. 2, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Andrea Posey 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Editor's Note: This is the fourth article in a series about special duties offered on Hurlburt Field. First sergeants have a very important job here and at every Air Force base because they take care of Airmen 24/7. The first sergeant or "Shirt" is the one person everyone can look up to, according to Master Sgt. Aaron Adams, 505th Command and Control Wing first sergeant. Adams said first sergeants have an extensive list of responsibilities. "My schedule varies greatly depending on the day," he said. "It can be anything; jumping from meeting to meeting, a day full of "Hey Shirt, got a minute?," [conducting] dorm inspections and also managing problems." Master Sgt. Jason Knecht, 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron first sergeant, has been on the job for two weeks. Knecht said he chose to apply for this special duty because he wanted to mentor Airmen. "As a first sergeant you have more of an impact to help people, whether it's to overcome difficulties or be there to support them," he said. This special duty resolves around communication and leadership skills, according to Adams. For him, the best part of the job is supporting people through life's trials and tribulations. To apply for this special duty, Airmen must submit a first sergeant package, complete their Community College of the Air Force and Course 14 or professional military education course for senior NCOs, score a satisfactory on a physical training test, and shadow a "diamond-wearing" first sergeant, Adams said. After being selected, applicants attend a six-week course at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala. Adams said the best part of his job is watching people grow. "There is a feeling that cannot be expressed in words when you know that you have helped someone through some of the most difficult times in their life," he said.