Master Sgt. Scott Marshall: I was made for this Published Nov. 21, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- "The job was a natural fit; I had that same feeling again that I had in Basic Military Training as an instructor, where I woke up excited and full of fire at what my day was going to bring," said Master Sgt. Scott Marshall, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. Marshall joined the Air Force in December of 1994 for a chance to escape the negative influences of his hometown of New Bedford, Mass. He enlisted with a guaranteed job in aerospace ground equipment and was picked to do a job in research and integration at Scott AFB, Illinois. While there, he worked with the Contingency Response Groups in selecting and testing new technology for field use. He got to travel around the country field testing new equipment while at the same time, was attached to two quick response packages with the ability to respond anywhere in the world for relief or wartime efforts. In May of 2001 to June of 2005, Marshall was assigned to the 322nd Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, Texas, as a military training instructor. The level of discipline and commitment required for an MTI is immense; one needs drive and self-motivation. "My assignment as a drill instructor without a doubt shaped who I am today as a man and a senior NCO," said Marshall. "The discipline instilled in me there was huge in my NCO upbringing; you could not come to work at anything less than a 110 percent because the Airmen demanded your absolute best every day. There was no room for error." Marshall wanted to apply for a second tour as an MTI, but fate intervened in the form of retired Chief Master Sgt. Sandra Miller, command chief. Miller was fresh from the Pentagon as the former Air Force Functional for First Sergeants, and nudged Marshall into becoming a first sergeant. The experiences he had obtained as an MTI, helped Marshall handle sensitive situations in the new job. The first call Marshall received as a first sergeant was domestic and the member was in another country. The spouse had been beaten up and left on the side of the road. Fortunately, she made it to a phone and called Marshall. He was able to take care of the individual through phone calls and got her the help she needed. "When I finally did see the member, banged up, bruised and in tears two days later, all the member could do was say thank you and I really didn't understand why," said Marshall. "To me I was doing what I was supposed to do as a supervisor and a SNCO, taking care of my people." This is when Marshall realized this is what he wanted to do in his career. Marshall has been a first sergeant for a little over two years now and has complete job satisfaction every day that he comes to work, whether it's signing paperwork for a member to move out of the dorms or assisting a grieving family. The most rewarding part of being a first sergeant for Marshall is being able to take care of the Air Force's most important asset, the Airmen. Along with the reward come challenges. Marshall is challenged every day with making sure he spends time with all his Airmen, whether it is for disciplinary actions or letting them know their leadership does see the good things they are doing. "Don't get me wrong, you have your good days and your bad days, but how you deal with it makes all the difference. I have a thousand chances a day to make a difference in someone's life, I only get one to screw it all up," said Marshall. "I truly believe I was built for this. No matter where I go, I know I have my Air Force family with me; it really doesn't get better than that."