Deployed first sergeant: leader and wingman

Published Feb. 2, 2012
By Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- After 15 years of working with grease, fuel and hydraulic fluid, one F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief decided to trade in his wrench and coveralls for a diamond and the opportunity to help people.

Now, as the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, he is doing just that.

Meet Master Sgt. Davis Watkins, who is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and a native of Lewisville, Texas. Although this is his seventh deployment, this is the first time he has deployed as a first sergeant.

"I've always had a passion for helping people," he said. "As a first sergeant, my job is people ... and everyone is my business."

Watkins, who has been a first sergeant for two years, said this deployment has allowed him to focus on the good things Airmen do -- instead of the bad.

"We brought our best Airmen out here, so we don't see a lot of trouble," he said. "Now, I can be proactive rather than reactive. I'm focusing most of my time on morale, fitness, making things better and helping people."

Watkins said being a first sergeant is usually much more difficult.

"One time, I had to escort one of my Airmen to prison," he said. "That was, no doubt, the hardest moment of my career. It was a very emotional experience for me and I couldn't let it show.

"As first sergeants, we are taught not to wear our emotions on our sleeve," Watkins explained. "We have to put our feelings aside in order to handle business in a fair and equitable manner. We need to make sure everyone is taken care of -- including the person who messed up -- no matter how much we dislike what they did."

Even though his position can be challenging, Watkins said it's also very rewarding.

"Whenever I see an Airman bounce back from their mistakes and transition into a superstar, it makes every bad part of my job worth it," he said. "I've personally seen this happen about a dozen times. It's like they have a sparkle in their eye. They know they made a bad decision, but they don't let it bring them down. It's almost like it gives them the motivation to not only jump back on the right track, but go above and beyond that, and succeed even more."

Watkins, who is in charge of the living conditions of more than 400 Airmen, said he continues to be impressed by how easy it is.

"About 350 of them arrived on the same day," he said. "Normally, that would be a logistical nightmare, but somehow it went as smooth as butter."

Watkins said this deployment has increased the unit's camaraderie.

"We knew each other beforehand, since we are all from Shaw AFB, but we are really bonding on this deployment," he said. "We get to know each other more and more every day. My Airmen are great wingmen. They take care of one another -- especially when one is in need. They make my job very easy."