Grand Forks Airman named AMC's First Sergeant of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Burke Baker
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Air Mobility Command named Master Sgt. Richard McCorkle, a member of the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, as First Sergeant of the Year on Mar. 21.

McCorkle is deployed from the 319th Security Forces Squadron, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., where he serves as the Squadron's First Sergeant.

"It's an absolute honor to receive this award. I'm sure there are many other First Sergeants out there that given just as much of their heart and soul into caring for their Airmen," he said. "I'd have to say that I didn't get to this point without some help. I wouldn't be receiving this award if it weren't for the support of the proficient, passionate, and professional Defenders of the 319th Security Forces Squadron."

McCorkle's home unit commander, Lt. Col. Jeffery Becker, offers high praise for his Airman.

"He is a phenomenal First Sergeant, probably the best one I've worked with in my 24 years in the Air Force," he said. "Master Sgt. McCorkle is heavily involved in the community and base and served as the [Grand Forks AFB] School Board Vice President. Under his leadership the base schools reaped a $500,000 windfall in federal grant money to improve the lives of our Airmen's children."

That was just one of many of McCorkle's accomplishments for the year. According to his award nomination package, he also revamped the Airman's Attic, taught team building skills to 90 school children, was selected to attend the U.S. Marine Corps' Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education course, created a First Sergeant "shadow" program, and secured $21,000 in charitable donations for Airmen and their families.

He is also credited with saving the lives of four Airmen who had expressed suicidal thoughts.

"Early in my career, I needed some career guidance and my first sergeant was there to help," he said. "Now I'm someone else's first sergeant and providing that same guidance."

As a First Sergeant, McCorkle is the principle advisor to the commander for enlisted matters relating to the policies, goals, objectives, morale, welfare, quality of life, health, esprit de corps, discipline, mentoring, career progression, recognition and professional development of the Airmen assigned to the unit.

According to McCorkle, being a first sergeant has been the best part of his 23-year career.

"I've had my diamond for over two years now and it's been the best two years of my career," he said. "I became a First Sergeant because I felt there was much more I could offer the Air Force than launching F-16s and F-35s."

Although McCorkle is deployed to the 386th EMXS, he was forward deployed to fill a critical shortage for the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group in Shindand, Afghanistan. He currently serves as the group's First Sergeant.

"The mission here is unique and critical to the future of the Afghan Air Force," he said. "The 838th Airmen train, advise and assist in all AF specialties; ranging from personnel, civil engineering, medical, aircraft maintenance, aircrew gunners and pilots.

McCorkle now competes at the Air Force level against other winners from the Air Force's Major Commands. If selected, he would become one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.