Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Burton awarded AETC first sergeant of the Year Published April 17, 2020 By Senior Airman Lexi Crawford Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Burton, 58th Training Squadron, first sergeant, was recently named the AETC first sergeant of the Year (FSOTY). “It’s extremely humbling and an honor to win this award,” Burton said. “To me, it’s more of a reflection of the dedication and accomplishments of the men and women of the squadrons that I’ve served in as a first sergeant than only a reflection of myself.” When discussing what it takes to be a great first sergeant, Burton believes that it’s important to be an example of integrity. “You may be tempted to go down a track that’s a little easier than it is right,” Burton said. “You always have to find a way to make sure you’re doing the right thing for the people you serve as well as the overall organization.” Along with integrity, Burton believes dedication is paramount to be a successful first sergeant. “You’ll get calls in the middle of the night and all hours of the day that need you to respond immediately,” Burton said. “You have to be dedicated to serving the people in your unit because this job will call you away from your family, your friends- it’s never ending.” Although the job can be difficult, Burton says that it’s one of the best positions he’s ever served in. “It is a humbling position that gives you the opportunity to truly serve others,” Burton said. “Your responsibilities are broad, and you have a lot of influence over a squadron. It’s an honor to take care of people.”