Last Airforce Buck Sergeant

I am James M. Garstecki the Last Buck Sergeant and officially had seperated from the Airforce Mar23, 1998. I knew I was the last one to hold the rank, but never really had time to make sure the facts were correct. I made Below the Zone early in my 10 year career with a lot of high praises. I made the rank within hours or one day of the upper command decision of retiring the rank of Buck Sergeant. At that point in time I became a part of history for the United States Airforce. My Grandparents and parents were all in the military. My mother was in the Womans Air Corp. My DD 214 shows when I seperated at the rank of E - 4 (enlisted Sergeant NCO)from Hickam Air Force Base, HI . I went to military leadership school and the NCO prep course at Holloman Air Force Base. Plans for E - 4 were to be switched to Senior Airman only. (I made Airman of the month, Airman of the Quarter and went on to vie for Airman of the Base) I was a studeous and professional Airman and earned the
right of being Buck Sergeant(NCO status) and after becoming a NCO (Non
commissionedOfficer) I was given the responsibility to write Evaluations on my Airman for promotion, I ran a Photolab with 7 subordinate personnel / photo crew with letters of appreciation and Awards for duty. I know you deal with facts and would not like to see the information incorrect. I have documents with military seals, signatures, and names of discharging personnel to support this. The military personnel center is Randolf Airforce Base, TX.
Any questions please post them.

Enter your Response to Last Airforce Buck Sergeant.

The Army uses it to identify our newly promoted SGTs (E5) and is commonly derogitory. Upon doing some research, there was no official rank in the air force with the title "Buck Sergeant", it was a nickname to denote newly promoted SGTs much like in the army. While they do no longer have plain old Sergeant, there was no "Buck Sergeant" rank. This person was promoted to Sergeant, which is commonly referred to as Buck Sergeant....but not actually called that. Several other resources also have conflicting information regarding dates this person mentioned.

Just curious, but why did you post this if it isn't you. At the very least you could have said where you found it, or that it wasn't you.

The USAF had the rank of Sergeant. It was the equivalent of the Army's Corporal but has since been removed from a possible promotion.

The above string is for a friend for its obvious the names do not match. His DD 214 and all dates on it are true and correct. Mr. James M. Garstecki is the Last Airforce Buck Sergeant as noted by his date of seperation of 23 Mar 1998. A few websites / "resources" have the last date of seperation outright wrong for that rank of E - 4 (Sergeant). Mr. Garstecki's DD 214 is documented proof. Buck Sergeant is a nickname that has been popularized because of the significance of gaining responsibility by becoming a NCO (non commissioned officer). A celebration with close friends or peers usually got you a volley of punches to both your arms for the newly obtained (not subdued) Star. As well, Terms and conditions of " Myarmedforces.com" ,websites dont tollerate posting outside websites / RESOURCES. Also, never in ones wildest dreams is a promotion seen as being Derogatory. Very funny though. Unless.......Eh, nevermind we wont go there. I dont think Myarmedforces.com needs feuding between the different branches of service. As for a matter of respect and gratitude..... thank you for your service Staff Sergeant Eric Frock.

glad that everyones checking facts...i cant speak for the guy personally because i didnt do any research but buck sgt was the nick name for the sgt rank before the af got rid of them around the late 80s-90ish.

When did you put on buck? I made below the zone is 89 so I was able to put in on is spring of 91 based on the phase out date of May 1991 I would have missed it as I was due to put on buck in Oct 1991. Fortunately I was in the next to last group (2 APR 1991) due to going BTZ.

The bad thing about becoming a Sgt. in the late 80's early 90's was the fact that due to all the roll backs and early outs you pretty much ended up having about the same responsibility as a Sgt. that you did as an Airman. :-(