Dragons to Honor Wright-Patterson Air Force Base First Sergeants Council as Part of Hometown Heroes Program on July 3

DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base First Sergeants Council as a Hometown Hero on Wednesday, July 3 when the Dragons battle the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 pm.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizing outstanding military organizations, groups, and individuals.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base First Sergeants Council

In the United States Air Force, a First Sergeant is a noncommissioned officer who supports their unit's mission by managing and interacting with Airmen and their families. First Sergeants are also known as "first shirts.”

To fill the role of a First Sergeant, Airmen attend the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where Airmen undergo four extensive weeks of training to fulfill the requirements of a first shirt. The training focuses on enhancing invaluable skills such as alternate dispute resolution, resiliency, advanced counseling, Uniform Code of Military Justice/Article 15, and increased engagement with former commanders.

First Sergeants are responsible for many tasks, including the following:

Advising the commander

Within their unit, First Sergeants are the commander's main point of contact for all Airmen-related matters. First Sergeants advise the commander on the readiness, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life of Airmen and their families. First Sergeants may also represent the commander at various meetings.

Ensuring readiness of Airmen

First Sergeants must have strong leadership skills, policy knowledge, and the ability to monitor and support Airmen's moral, physical, and psychological well-being. First Sergeants are required to be visible, caring, supportive, and approachable leaders who seek out problems by speaking to Airmen at all levels.

Leading the unit

First Sergeants help lead their unit’s effort. They develop a professional culture and prepare the enlisted force to carry out assigned tasks.

The Dragons Hometown Heroes program is made possible by the generous support of the Dayton Development Coalition, HII Mission Technologies, Synergy Building Systems, and Reynolds & Reynolds.

For more information, visit daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.