First Sgt. Symposium "People are our business" Published July 17, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- A first sergeant symposium is being held at the Saber Conference Center on Spangdahlem Air Base July 22- 25. The Symposium is here to educate potential first sergeants interested in serving the military members who they represent. A key organizer, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Duckworth, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, details what the symposium is and what a perspective first sergeant will learn. "This Symposium is for our junior NCOs at the technical sergeant level, as well as our master sergeants and master sergeant selects but we are also trying to include our CGO populace," said Duckworth. "It educates them on the roles and responsibilities of a first sergeant." The symposium is a four-day course that includes discussion topics: death in command, sexual assault, family care planning, fitness, concealing, administrative actions, court martial, promotions, demotions, and inspections. "I mean you name it, anything regarding first sergeant duties will be covered in this; and really this is an abbreviated view of what they do at the school house in the main course." said Duckworth. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief, will open the symposium with his thoughts on the importance of the roles and responsibilities the first sergeant. "Their role as additional duty first sergeants, as the first sergeant for their organization and as key leaders they have an incredible opportunity to influence and inspire their Airmen and really to make a difference by connecting with the airmen and their families." said Grengs. All guest speakers will be from organizations on Spangdahlem that play a role in helping first sergeants take care of their people. Their goal in talking to first sergeants helps them become more aware of the local processes and procedures. "Family advocacy, area defense council, mental health, Office of Special Investigations, any one of those organizations will talk about their roles but really talk about the interactions of first sergeants and themselves or their organization," said Duckworth. "We need people to know all those helping agencies, and how they work together when something concerning one of their Airmen happens." According to Grengs, first sergeants are incredibly important because they are the subject matter experts on a broad array of topics, whether it's emergency leave or domestic issues or misconduct. "We have a saying the first sergeant business 'People are our business,'" said Duckworth. If interested in attending the first sergeant symposium, contact a unit first sergeant.