Get to Know Your Medical Group First Shirt: Master Sgt. Joshua Waters Published Feb. 1, 2024 By Senior Airman Kasie Faddis 117th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joshua Waters, first sergeant for the 117th Air Refueling Wing Medical Group, poses for an official photo at Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala., Jan. 6, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kasie Faddis) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Get to know Master Sgt. Joshua Waters, the 117th Medical Group First Sergeant! Waters enlisted on Jan. 4, 2011, and began his military career at the 117th Intelligence Squadron as a communications troop within Intel. “1st Sgt. Cook at the time saw potential in me and just wanted to drive that motivation in me to make change in the right direction,” said Waters. “He moved me down to combat crew communications in Ops, started mentoring me there and prepared me to take on the first sergeant role, so when the medical group spot opened up, I went up there.” In 2021 Waters was selected as the first sergeant for the 117th Medical Group and has been there since, mentoring new Airmen or those who just need someone to talk to. “I would like to leave a legacy. Not necessarily a legacy attached to my name, but a mentality left that I helped change or a culture that needed to be changed, was changed,” said Waters. “I don’t need my name attached to it or anything like that, but if I can see that happen then I will feel like I left a pretty good legacy.” Waters said his favorite aspect of his job is the people because, as a social person, it allows him to be a part of a lot of conversations that could be awkward or people telling things that are exciting in their lives. To him, making those connections is the best part of the job. “It is the best job in the Air Force,” Waters said. “You are making life better. When there is something bad happening in somebody’s life, to make that easier, is the best part.” Waters advised anyone who may be interested in becoming a future first sergeant can begin by taking care of all people, regardless of their rank. “If you want to see real changes, find the avenues to make those change,” Waters said. “We do a first sergeant symposium every year and to become an additional duty first sergeant, I would express that to your first sergeant to get you into the symposium. That is one way you actually can get some first sergeant duties before putting on a diamond or putting in a package to become a diamond.”