WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A new first shirt has joined the team at the Air Force Materiel Command headquarters.
Two days into the new job, Master Sgt. Celeste S. Suazo moved through the halls of the headquarters building and noticed a void of the typical numbers of Airmen milling about. At this point she realized the magnitude of the challenge of serving and staying connected in the coronavirus, work-from-home environment.
How could she fulfill the role of first shirt as Airmen communicate and work remotely?
“I realized that the search for avenues to provide first shirt support to Airman in a heavily virtual work situation would be continuous. The open door policy of the past would need to be paired with reaching out virtually through calls and frequent meetings with leadership to communicate the needs of AFMC Airmen,” said Suazo.
Suazo explained the first shirt role is very different from that of the typical master sergeant because of the almost limitless scope of the job.
“A first shirt wears the hat of counselor and mentor, but might also be called on to be the disciplinarian or truth-giver during certain circumstances,” said Suazo.
Although there is the understanding that a first shirt is primarily a support to active duty Airmen, civilians and others in an organization often come to the first shirt for advice and suggestions.
Within AFMC, Airmen are predominantly civilian. Suazo welcomes civilian Airmen and leaders who supervise civilian Airmen to reach out for basic support.
“The role is broader, but the role doesn’t change - provide avenues of support for all Airmen and be a critical link between Airmen and the commander regarding anything that concerns them,” said Suazo.
Suazo talked about the satisfaction and challenges of providing tangible advice on anything ranging from career progression to everyday life needs
Such challenges occur when the first sergeant gets involved in Airmen’s personal situations. She may encounter an Airmen at their worst; but often that is when the first shirt is most needed. Sometimes resources are needed to assist with a financial shortfalls, or support is required to sift through legal and administrative minutia.
On the other hand, there’s also the part of the job where the first shirt gets to celebrate with Airmen on a promotion, a graduation or an award. All of these are described as encompassing the role of a first sergeant.
“I hope to build relationships, foster camaraderie and a true sense of being a family during my AFMC tenure. As more people are staying home, it will be a challenge, but that personal connection is vitally important. Knowing that there is someone that you can call at any time of the day or night if you need them--that’s how I want to be viewed,” said Suazo
Suazo’s Jan. 25, 2021 transition to AFMC was proceeded by more than seven years at Wright-Patterson in various roles before being vectored to be a first shirt in 2018.
As first shirt, Suazo most recently served a dual-role to the 88th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the 88th Force Support Squadron and the Mission Support Group leadership, before furthering her role during a six-month deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.
Airmen expect the first shirt to be trustworthy. They want to be able to come into the office and talk about anything.
“The priority is Airmen, always. It’s important to meet their needs and help them navigate through issues or concerns. Anything outside of that is just a part of the first shirt job,” said Suazo.