Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
The position of first sergeant has been described by some as one of the most difficult, multifaceted jobs an enlisted person can hold; in a routine day, career, duty and personal issues arise from the individual stories of the enlisted force, seeking both closure and facilitation. The position is not for one-dimensional Airmen.
Such an extraordinary group of individuals represents the very best the Air Force has to offer. So Master Sgt. Gregory Weymouth, first sergeant of the 37th Logistics Readiness Squadron, found it both surprising and downright humbling to be called the best among them.
The Air Force Personnel Center declared Sergeant Weymouth the Air Force First Sergeant of the Year on June 13.
"In reality, I'm doing the same thing every Air Force first sergeant does," said Sergeant Weymouth. "We're taking care of people, and in my mind they all deserve this recognition.
"This is an award for Team Lackland, because without the friendships, mentoring and teamwork from the Lackland First Sergeant Council, this level of recognition could never be achieved by one person.," Sergeant Weymouth added.
In his time as first sergeant of the 37th LRS, Sergeant Weymouth deployed to Al Mubarak Air Base, Saudi Arabia, handling the issues and crises that come with Airmen working in deployed locations. He created and fortified new programs and existing ones. Wingman groups, family contact programs and recognition initiatives were just some of the things he orchestrated while serving overseas.
Additionally, he handled the personnel nightmares that arise from time to time, such as domestic incidents, suicide threats and counseling. For Sergeant Weymouth, the work was more rewarding than stressful.
"Helping people is definitely gratifying," said Sergeant Weymouth. The hard part is taking a struggling Airman and turning them around.
The real reward is seeing them years down the road with the struggles behind them having a successful career, Sergeant Weymouth said.
According to his peers and supervisors on Lackland, Sergeant Weymouth simply continued what he had been doing all along.
"Sergeant Weymouth is a superior Airman who leads subordinates, peers and superiors alike, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have him as a daily mentor, advisor and confidant," said Lt. Col. David Haase, 37th LRS commander.
"He always focused his energy toward taking care of Lackland's Airmen, and he was always engaged and brought solutions and options to those in need," Colonel Haase added.
"He's a sincere man and very professional," said Master Sgt. Michael Dorazio, 342nd Training Squadron first sergeant. "He'd do anything for his Airmen, and we're all proud of him. This couldn't have happened to a better guy."