Basic Military Training needs Reserve instructors

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Carlos Trevino
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Click, clack. Click, clack. You hear the taps on the boots colliding with the pavement, in a rhythmic pattern coming towards you. Your spine stiffens, and you notice the shadow of the Smokey the Bear hat looming over your shoulder, you immediately know you are in the presence of the one who taught you how to stand tall, wear a military uniform properly and how to be a U.S. Air Force Airman - a military training instructor.

Currently, the 433rd Training Squadron is seeking reservists to fill 76 MTI positions in the ranks of staff sergeant to master sergeant.

One might think these individuals, who have been told by parents that they did something in eight weeks which they could not do in 18 years, were all active-duty members. However, you would be sorely mistaken. Currently, 37 Air Force Reserve members serve as MTIs. Interested applicants must meet an array of requirements such as a current security clearance, no physical/medical issues, current passing physical fitness test score, commander's recommendation, etc. The goal is to fill the positions by September 2012.

"Our role in the Basic Military Training arena is to assist the active duty in manning shortfalls and be part of the Total Force Initiative within Air Education and Training Command and the Air Force Reserve Command," said Chief Master Sgt. Julie Begley, 433rd TRS superintendent.

The traditional reserve positions are not the only positions available for Airmen interested in becoming a MTI. There five air reserve technician and 12 active guard reserve positions available, all ranging from staff sergeant to chief master sergeant.

"The 12 AGR tours are four-year tours in our unit," said Begley. "The AGR MTIs are the constant for our unit." The five ART positions are the support function that keeps the unit functioning during the period between UTAs.

AGR refers to a U.S. Air Force federal military program that places Reserve Airmen on federal active-duty status under Title 10 U.S.C., for a period of 180 consecutive days or more to provide full-time support to Air Force Reserve organizations. AGR personnel receive the same benefits and entitlements as active duty.

Tech. Sgt. Carlos Recoder, who has been training Airmen since 2006, took advantage of the AGR position to continue to serve.

"I found that being a MTI has afforded me the opportunity of training America's Airmen," said Recorder, an El Paso native who transferred to the Air Force Reserve from the active-duty U.S. Marine Corp.

Before taking the helm of a flight of recruits, a MTI trainee has to complete a seven-week course said Begley. Future MTIs learn how to lecture classes, perform proper drill formation instruction, conduct dormitory inspections, as well as counseling techniques. "The course is challenging! It demands preparation, tenacity, time-management skills and extreme self-discipline," Begley said.

One misconception about being a MTI is the long hours they put into training a flight. "It's all about time management," Recoder said. "It's what you make it. The first year is learning time management, effective teaching, mentoring younger instructors, making appointments for trainees, counseling them, advising them on finances and making sure they are meeting fitness requirements."

Recorder also pointed out he still has time to help coach his daughter's volleyball team. Instructors generally work eight to 10 hours per day on a unit training assembly weekend, Begley said.

"Being an MTI puts you on top of everything. You get to mold the future of the Air Force," said Tech Sgt. Michael Hernandez, an ART MTI. The ART MTI fulfills duties and responsibilities during the workweek in ART status and does not work with the trainees. However, during the Unit Training Assembly and annual tour, the ART MTIs are working with trainees.

"They (recruits) come in as a civilian, and in eight and a half weeks they will leave as an Airman," Hernandez said. "You feel good about the product you put out there to the Air Force. Down the road, you could be next to them in a deployed situation," he said.

"The only big downfall is that they (Airmen) ship out; however, within the next week you get 50 to 60 new trainees," he said with a smile.

Instructing trainees is not the only job of a MTI. They are judges at Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps' drill competitions, participate in change of command ceremonies, and serve at other official functions throughout the Air Force.

"MTIs are the experts for drill and ceremonies", he said. "We might get called to go on a TDY (temporary duty) to participate in a change of command ceremony. MTIs are always called for those events; we do it on a regular basis."

Another benefit of becoming a MTI is the acquired skill sets can carry over and strengthen their civilian and military résumés when they finish their tour, said Begley, One of our members Tech. Sgt. Ricardo Chavez, was selected as an Air Force 12 Outstanding Airman in 2011. "Experience as an MTI gives a NCO experience as a supervisor in the Air Force, and it is a career enhancer," she emphasized.

Some other benefits of donning the Air Force blue MTI campaign hat:

-- Stable four-year controlled tour as an AGR MTI
-- Annual supplementary clothing allowance of $222 (For AGR MTIs only)
-- Air Education and Training Command Instructor Badge
-- MTI Recognition Ribbon for successful tour

To become an MTI, you must have:

-- General ASVAB score of 49 or higher
-- Current and Passing Physical Fitness Test (no failures within the past two years)
-- No back, knee or feet conditions
-- No medical or Physical Fitness Test Waivers
-- Approved Behavioral Analysis test/exam
-- Personal Interview with 433rd TRS leadership
-- Complete minimum of five days of MTI Shadow Program
-- Current Security Clearance
-- Tattoos must meet current AFI 36-2903 requirements
-- Exceptional Dress and Personal Appearance
-- Letters of Recommendation from Supervisor, First Sergeant and Commander
-- No Unfavorable Information Files or Article 15s
-- Exceptional Duty Performance
-- Senior Airman with at least three years but less than six years of total service, Staff, Technical and Master Sergeants with less than 16 years of total service

For more information, contact the 433rd TRS MTI recruiting team at 210-671-3025/2410 or 433TRS.RECRUITING@us.af.mil.