HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Master Sgt. James Hodge officially donned the first sergeant’s diamond here earlier this spring, stepping into a role rooted in leadership and an unwavering commitment to helping Airmen.
Hodge, who arrived at Hanscom AFB in December 2023 as a 66th Security Forces Squadron defender, said the decision to become a first sergeant was inspired by personal experience.
“About three or four years into my career, I had a death in the family,” said Hodge. “My first sergeant moved heaven and hell to get me on a plane home.”
With an SFS career that’s spanned bases from Turkey to England, Hodge has consistently lived by the ethos of selfless service.
Most recently, while attending the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama, he rendered aid at the scene of a car accident in March, an incident he downplays as simply “doing the right thing.”
“I just couldn’t drive by,” he said. “If my family was in that situation, I’d hope someone would stop and help.”
Hodge jumped into action after witnessing a violent crash, pulling victims from two wrecked vehicles, including an older man with severe facial lacerations.
Despite being late to class and visibly bloodstained, he quietly resumed training after updating his instructors. He never sought recognition.
“I’m not that guy,” he said. “I did it because I had the training, and that’s what we’re supposed to do.”
Now as a first sergeant in the 66th Air Base Group, Hodge said his daily work is driven more by human need than schedule.
“My day-to-day is more reactive than proactive,” he said. “Someone knocks and says, ‘Hey shirt, you got a minute?’ and that turns into three hours helping with emergency leave, joint spouse assignments, or just getting someone through a tough time.”
His approach emphasizes accountability without judgment.
“I’m not the judge,” he said. “I don’t really care why you’re in trouble. I care about helping you become a better Airman and a better person.”
Hodge is focused on leaving a lasting impact and supporting Airmen at their highest and lowest in his new role, just as others once did for him.
“My biggest fear is hearing someone say, ‘The shirt didn’t help me,’” he said. “That’s why I give everything I have, so one day, when these Airmen become leaders, they’ll remember the one first sergeant who went above and beyond to help them through a significant life event.”