NEWS
Jan. 18, 2013 DISPATCH 5A
Volunteer or not, BMT needs the best By Nathan Simmons
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Adjustments to the military training instructor selection process will be made early this year, driven by a recent review of basic military training that stressed the need for experienced and talented noncommissioned officers to train America’s new Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, Air Education and Training Command command chief, said MTI duty is one of the most significant and rewarding duties an Airman can perform, and that all Airmen should understand this critical point: by being selected, the Air Force recognizes an Airman’s ability to perform a duty that requires the highest level of professionalism. “We need our very best Airmen as MTIs. We all remember the impact our MTI had on our transformation from civilian to Airman,” Cody said. “There is no question, the experience at BMT is the foundation for all enlisted Airmen, and we absolutely need the very best NCOs leading this effort.” A thorough review of BMT was conducted, highlighting the need to institute several changes in various aspects of the program, one of which will be assigning two MTIs to each flight of trainees. The volunteer base for MTI duty will be combined and enhanced with a selection
Photo by Robbin Cresswell
Staff Sgt. Kenneth Dancer, a military training instructor with the 321st Training Squadron, leads a group of Air Force basic military trainees carrying state flags during the Basic Military Training graduation ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 7. MTIs mold recruits through an eight-and-a-half week BMT program focusing on basic war skills, military bearing, discipline, physical fitness, drill and ceremonies and Air Force core values.
process that includes volunteers and non-volunteers best qualified for the job. Volunteers for MTI assignments are given first consideration, but the Air Force Personnel Center will review each candidate on a case-by-case basis and select eligible individuals deemed qualified for this special duty assignment from a prioritized roster using the current as-
signment availability process. Applicants need to be technical sergeants or master sergeants with no more than 16 years total Air Force military service, have an overall rating of five on their last three performance reports, and must have or be able to obtain three years of PCS “retainability” for an assignment as an MTI. Airmen must have no history of
Take Note: Exchange TIP: Crime is closes stores for inventory worldwide From Page 1A Exchange closures
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, is encouraging guardsmen and reservists to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by Monday. The Freedom Award is the nation’s highest recognition for employers supporting Guard and Reserve members. Employers of every size organization and industry are eligible to receive the honor. Guard and reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at
The 42nd Air Base Wing legal office is seeking volunteers to assist with tax preparation. Prior tax experience is not necessary. Training will be provided by the Internal Revenue Service and the legal office next week. The Tax Center will be open Feb. 4 through April 15. For information, call 9532786.
African-American History Month committee
The 42nd Air Base Wing Equal Opportunity Office is looking for volunteers to assist with activities. Call 953-6010 for information.
Scholarships available The Maxwell-Gunter Officers’ Spouses’ Club will give away more than $25,000 in scholarships to family members. Policies and forms can be found at https:// sites.google.com/site/maxwellgunterosc/home. The deadline is Feb. 28. The Defense Commissary Agency participates in the Scholarships for Military Children Program. The deadline is Feb. 22. Visit www.commissaries.com for information.
syndicates are estimated to be averaging between $5 billion and $9 billion a year through human trafficking. Prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced labor and removal of vital organs are the organization’s main sources of illegal revenue. The Defense Department reports that as of now there are more than 27 million people in bondage worldwide, generating more than $32 billion a year for the illegal industry. If a service member feels that they may know of an area that is possibly engaging in TIP they should report it to their Office of Special Investigation, where an investigation may be initiated. Possible signs of a TIP enterprise include work areas that are heavily guarded where workers appear intimidated or where workers are being escorted from a facility to their home. “This is the second largest crime against people, and we will simply not stand for it any longer,” Barton said. For more information on human trafficking and how to prevent it, please visit ctip.defense. gov.
Maxwell's CUI Sept. 9-16 Outstanding: The grade given to indicate performance or operation that far exceed mission requirements. Procedures and activities are carried out in a far superior manOK DEE OK DEE LO ner. Resources and programsLOare very efficiently managed and are of exceptional merit. Minimal deficiencies exist. P
Freedom Award
Tax center needs volunteers
From Page 1A
Consolidated unit inspection rating definitions
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The Exchange conducts a fiscal inventory of its retail merchandise every year in January, and facilities will be closed during this time. The Maxwell class six and main military clothing sales stores will be closed Tuesday. The Officer Training School troop and clothing sales stores will be closed Wednesday. The Maxwell Exchange, mall and food court will be closed Jan. 27. The Maxwell and Gunter express stores will be closed Jan. 29, but gas will be available for pay at the pump.
www.FreedomAward.mil.
behavioral problems, and must meet the highest professional standards to be selected for MTI duty. “Three decades of force structure changes have had many impacts on our Air Force and Airmen. We expect a great deal from all Airmen, and we must ensure we strike the right balance of experience, education, and training,” Cody said. “MTI
duty is one of the areas our Airmen can continue their development; if selected, know you have been given the distinct honor to train our greatest asset – our newest Airmen.” There are number of incentives that come with the territory, including special duty pay of $450 per month, a supplemental clothing allowance of $227 per year, the AETC Instructor Badge and the MTI ribbon. Master Sgt. Lucan Plata, who trained flights from June 2009 to October 2010 with the 326th Training Squadron, said it’s about much more than ribbons and dollars. “The intangibles here are what make this worthwhile. If you’re doing it for extra pay and a ribbon, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons,” Plata said. “You do this for the future of the Air Force and for the Airmen. It’s a selfless job, and if you truly enjoy serving, this is your opportunity to impact many young men and women.” Plata said he’s learned more from trainees than he ever could teach them, and they allowed him to learn volumes about himself through teaching. “This opportunity here is huge – getting to train the very people you could be fighting side-by-side with one day,” said Col. Mark Gaubert, AETC Special Duty Assignments director. Applicants are encouraged to contact the MTI recruiting team via email at 737trg.mtir@us.af. mil or call 210-473-1018 to speak with an MTI recruiter.
S O to indicate SO Excellent: The grade given perforA R HIG H A R HIG H mance or operation that exceed mission requireCONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED UNIT INSPECTION UNIT INSPECTION ments. Procedures and activities are carried out 2013 2013 in a superior manner. Resources and programs are very efficiently managed and relatively free of deficiencies.
Satisfactory: The grade given to indicate performance or operation that meet mission requirements. Procedures and activities are carried out in an effective and competent manner. Resources and programs are efficiently managed. Minor deficiencies may exist but do not impede or limit mission accomplishment. Marginal: The grade given to indicate performance or operation do not meet some mission requirements. Procedures and activities are not carried out in an efficient manner. Resources and programs are not efficiently managed. Deficiencies exist that impede or limit mission accomplishment. Unsatisfactory: The grade given to indicate performance or operation does not meet mission requirements. Procedures and activities are not carried out in an adequate manner. Resources and programs are not adequately managed. Significant deficiencies exist that preclude or seriously limit mission accomplishment.