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Reservists bolster military training corps

  • Published
  • By Capt. Carla Gleason
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Military training instructors are usually pretty easy to spot, especially for new recruits. To them, MTIs seem larger than life, from their highly shined shoes to their wide-brimmed hats, even their booming voices.

In fact about the only thing not imposing about MTIs is the number of people in the career field. There's currently a shortage of instructors in the Air Force, especially in the 433rd Airlift Wing, the only Air Force Reserve wing with an MTI squadron.

So, when the Air Force announced in February that it was adding 8,000 Airmen over the next two years, the Air Force Reserve wing's 27 MTIs began gearing up for a heavier workload.

"Our 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."

The task is already daunting. Lackland BMT currently trains an average of more than 34,000 Airmen each year.

The 433rd MTI Squadron, which currently has 8 to 10 reservists actively training BMT flights at any given time, is looking to increase both their traditional Reserve and fulltime Active Guard Reserve MTI slots.

"We're training today's 21st Century Airmen," said Senior Master Sgt. 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 standpoint, we are stepping in right alongside the active-duty component," said Captain Sasnett. "Our 433rd MTIs can conduct any part of the training mission just like MTIs on active duty."

Talk about "Total Force" - the Air Force Reserve MTIs work side-by-side with Regular Air Force and Air National Guard instructors 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 Tech. Sgt. Jesse Gomez, 433rd TRS, who recently spent several months working at the MTI Training School at Lackland AFB 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," said Sergeant Gomez.

"Their retainability allows 433rd MTIs to step in as mentors to new active-duty training instructors," said Captain Sasnett.

Though 433rd MTIs are not deployable, they can fill positions when Regular Air Force Airmen prepare to deploy for Air Expeditionary Force rotations.

"It's important to know that this isn't a one-dimensional career field," said Tech. Sgt. 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 and saw all 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 applicants who make the cut, the MTI career field has a lot to offer according to Sergeant Begley.

"The 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."

Reservists in the career field are eligible for special-duty tour benefits to include additional pay, an annual supplementary clothing allowance, an Air Education and Training command badge, and, of course, a cool wide-brim hat.