Walk softly and carry a big hat

  • Published
  • By Capt. Carla Gleason
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AFB, Texas --  Few Air Force individuals are as easily recognizable as the military training instructor. Everything about the MTI is larger than life: the shoes, the hat, the badge...the voice.
There is one thing about the career field that is less than imposing: its size. The Air Force is currently undermanned when it comes to MTIs, and military instructors are especially scarce in the Air Force Reserve. In fact, the 433rd Airlift Wing is the only Air Force Reserve wing with an MTI squadron. So, when the Air Force announced a planned increase in enlisted end-force strength, the wing's 27 MTIs began gearing up for a heavier work load.
"433rd MTIs augment Lackland Air Force Base's Basic Military Training function as an integral part of our mission," said Capt. Quinton Sasnett, 433rd Training Squadron. "With the plus-up of the BMTs coming, we have to find a way to make sure our MTIs are trained and ready to support that increase."
Lackland BMT currently trains more than 34,000 Airmen on average each year. The Air Force announced February they will add about 220 MTIs in order to support an influx of 8,000 additional Airmen needed to reach manning projections over the next two years.
The 433rd MTI Squadron, which currently has 8 to 10 reservists actively training BMT flights at any given time, is looking to increase their number of MTI slots as well, including both traditional Reserve positions and Active Guard Reserve authorizations.
"We're training today's 21st Century Airmen," said Senior Master Sergeant Julie Begley, 433rd Training Squadron superintendent. "In addition to our full-time Air Reserve Technician MTIs, we also bring in traditional reservists on the weekend who push and train BMT flights full force."
"From a total force concept, we are stepping in right alongside the active-duty component," said Captain Sasnett. "433rd MTIs can conduct any part of the training mission just like MTIs on active duty."
Talk about "Total Force" - the 433rd AW is a Reserve wing uniquely positioned in the heart of Lackland AFB, known as the Gateway to the Air Force, where MTIs can work side-by-side with active-duty and National Guard members to make a seamless first impression on new Airmen.
"When you see reservists working together with active-duty MTIs there isn't a visible difference between what we do," said Technical Sergeant Jesse Gomez, 433rd TRS, who recently spent several months working at the MTI Training School here teaching new instructors the ropes.
In some cases, according to Sergeant Gomez, Reserve MTIs have something additional to offer that their active-duty counterparts may not have - longevity. "We can stay in the field longer, where it's a controlled tour on the active duty side."
"Their retainability allows 433rd MTIs to step in as mentors to new active-duty training instructors," said Captain Sasnett. And, because MTI's from the 433rd TRS are not deployable, during wartime contingencies, they can step in when active-duty members are positioned in Air Expeditionary Force rotations, allowing the deploying Airman to focus on the mission ahead.
"It's important to know that this isn't a one-dimensional career field," said Technical Sergeant Terrance Thoe, an MTI with the 433rd TRS. "We can fill just about any role out there from section supervisors and field training to schoolhouse instructors."
Sergeant Thoe himself was part of the team that activated the 321st Training Squadron where he was able to see all of the aspects of the squadron.
"Standing up the 321st was fast-paced and required a lot of improvising, but in the end I was able to influence the protocol and operational aspects of the squadron. The 433rd TRS definitely left its mark," said Sergeant Thoe.
For those few applicants who make the cut, the MTI career field has a lot to offer according to Sergeant Begley.
"MTI experience provides an excellent opportunity for career progression," said Sergeant Begley. "Many former instructors go on to become first sergeants, chief master sergeants and fill other leadership positions."
The career field is also eligible for special-duty tour benefits including additional pay, an annual supplementary clothing allowance, an Air Education and Training command badge, and, of course, a cool hat.
For more information on becoming an MTI with the 433rd Airlift Wing, contact the 433rd TRS at 671-2410.