Outstanding First Sergeant

Published June 3, 2015
By SrA Jessica Lewellen
133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1 June 2015 -- Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do, and Integrity First. These are the Core Values every airman strives to live by.

Every year the 133rd Airlift Wing nominates a few of its best to represent these values as the unit's Outstanding Airmen of the Year. This nationwide competition, units from every state choose excellent airmen who have proved themselves professionally, are dedicated to the mission and are a great example of personal development, to represent their home state at the National Guard Bureau.

This year the 133rd Airlift Wing chose First Sergeant Brad Trelstad from the 109th Aero Medical Evacuation Squadron, a leader who exemplifies every one of the Air Force Core Values, deserving Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.

First Sergeant Trelstad's career path is a true testament to Service Before Self. Not only does he serve the 133rd community, but also the people of Ramsey County as a sheriff. When sharing his desire to serve the airmen at the 133rd, he explains, "In my current role as a First Sergeant and in my previous role as a Chaplains' Assistant, this is the core value that just shines through. It's really about ensuring that our airmen are taken care of. That could mean a few words of encouragement, a closed door conversation, or getting them to a provider that can assist them."

Being a First Sergeant requires hard work and dedication but that is not something foreign to former Marine, First Sergeant Trelstad. He started his military career in the Marines where he was taught individual accountability, small unit leadership and to see the big picture while still paying attention to detail. Trelstad brings all of these qualities to the Minnesota Air National Guard and upholds the Excellence In All We Do value.

Another role of a First Sergeant is to raise-up young airman to reach their full potential. When asked what makes a great Airman, First Sergeant Trelstad stated three characteristics: adaptability, attitude, and desire. Recent changes to the military bring new obstacles. Resiliency and flexibility are just a few of the characteristics needed to be a strong and successful airman in today's Air Force. Trelstad's advice is to develop our adaptability. He stated, "For a new airman to be successful, he/she must be able to adapt without resistance." Lastly, he leaves airmen with this question, "Do your actions truly reflect a desire to do the job you are assigned to do?"

First Sergeant Trelstad has spent many late nights helping airmen in need, "I could try to say I have to go, but for that person sitting across from me, it may be just the conversation that they need to keep pressing on. Putting the airman's needs in front of your personal needs or wants is important." Trelstad would not be as affective without the support of his wife. She takes on additional duties while he is away and simply put, "she deserves more credit for the blessings I have received in my career."

When talking to a fellow airman from the 109th Medical Squadron, he jokingly shared how Trelstad is always excusing himself for his dry Marine sense of humor. On a more serious note he stated, "Trelstad is always focused on making decisions with the organization's best interest in mind and maintains a positive relationship with the airman. A relationship that is built on trust." First Sergeant Brad Trelstad is an airman who has taken to heart the Air Force Core Values.