Category: Defense

Source: United States Air Force

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS)– —  

For recruits heading to basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, connecting with a military training instructor online prior to their departure is proving to help ease the transition from civilian to Airman.

“Ask an MTI” is a BMT-led program managed by Tech. Sgt. Sarah Bento, MTI and the 737th Training Group chief of protocol, that connects recruits, recruiters and instructors online to open lines of communication to better prepare the Air and Space Force’s next generation of trainees for the rigors of training.

“The program gives recruits and recruiters real-time information about BMT and the many changes [they can expect],” said Staff Sgt. Ruth Elliott, who has been an MTI for more than 2 years.

Elliott is one of several MTIs who volunteer their time to engage with recruits and recruiters online in a relaxed forum that encourages open discussion.

The program began as a grassroots effort in 2021, but Bento said that over the past several months, the program has increased significantly in terms of participants, and all 25 recruiting squadrons across the country are now participating in a formalized program.

Bento, who collaborates with the Air Force Recruiting Service, said recruiters also benefit. She has received feedback from recruiters that they now feel more confident providing current information about BMT to recruits.

“They benefit from hearing the answers to questions submitted by other recruits on topics they didn’t even think to ask,” she added.

The call starts with a 30-minute window for MTIs and recruiters to talk amongst themselves and to share relevant information that benefits both. Following, recruits join in for an hour-long discussion.

Tech. Sgt. Lacie Tadych is an enlisted accessions recruiter who recruits out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. She is the 369th Recruiting Group’s lead for the program and stated that she has seen a drop in the Delayed Entry Program discharge rate since the program began.

She described that those in the DEP that are seniors are most impacted. “They are in the DEP for a much longer period, and these calls have kept them motivated and excited,” she said. “They constantly tell me that they can’t wait for the next one.”

“Ask an MTI” is held 25 times per quarter, once for each enlisted recruiting squadron. On average, there are more than 55 recruits on each call.

According to Bento, recruits will ask questions that range from what to bring to training, to what food is served in the dining facility, to how they should prepare for BMT.

Since the program began, Tadych said the feedback received from recruits has been positive.

“The applicants feel more at ease and prepared,” she said. “There has also been quite a bit of feedback from the recruiters regarding how much they are learning as well. This is helping us better prepare our applicants and is all around improving the communication between the recruiters and MTIs.”

Source: United States Air Force

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) —  

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass visited Tinker Air Force Base, Oct. 11-13, for the first time, taking the opportunity to learn more about the mission and Airmen on base.

Bass is the highest enlisted Airman in the U.S. Air Force and is the 19th chief master sergeant appointed to the position. Bass represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public and to those in all levels of government.

Air Force First Sergeant Special Duty Manager Chief Master Sgt. John Alsvig also traveled to Tinker AFB alongside Bass. Alsvig’s responsibilities include setting overall policy and guidance for the management of the first sergeant special duty. In addition, he advises the CMSAF on all matters relating to the health, morale, welfare and discipline of the force.

During their visit, Bass and Alsvig met with key leaders from Tinker AFB and the community to address challenges Airmen and their families face. Bass was quick to point out the level of diversity among employees.

“What you all do here at Team Tinker really underpins the warfighter concept,” Bass said. “Our warfighters, regardless of service, cannot do what they do without the work done by every single servicemember here at Tinker, especially the 90 percent of civilians who are making it happen every day.”

In addition to visiting the 72nd Air Base Wing, the 552nd Air Control Wing, the Air Logistics Complex, the 507th Air Refueling Wing and the 137th Special Operations Wing, and holding an all call with enlisted members of the base, Bass visited the students at Edmond North High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Bass held a Q and A session for students to ask a wide variety of questions about the Air Force and her position specifically.

Edmond North High School senior David Boley was among the first students to ask a question, asking how it’s possible to maintain time management with a busy lifestyle.

“You have to sleep well, you have to eat well,” Bass said. “I try my best to wake up in the morning and go do my physical training early in the morning so that I can feel physically ready. I prep myself before I go into work mentally by listening to podcasts.”

“It was really cool that she came out here and that I got a chance to not only talk to her but actually shake her hand,” Boley said. “She’s a great example for what I am trying to become because I want to become a good leader; I want to be a PJ [Air Force pararescueman]. The example she sets of living a highly disciplined life is something that I am striving for too.”

During the Total Force all-call, Bass heard from Airmen, highlighted the top priorities of senior leaders in the Air Force, as well as what Airmen can expect in the coming years.

“Our headspace is, ‘Where does our Air Force need to be and how can we optimize for great power competition?’” Bass said. “Now we have these other war fighting domains that we have to focus on called space, cyber and information.”

Bass is proud of the Air Force heritage, history and everyone that got the Air Force to this point but is excited for what’s to come.

“As we continue to build the Air Force our nation needs, it’s going to be Airmen like those at Team Tinker who will continue to accelerate change into the future,” Bass said.

Before departing Tinker AFB, Bass and Alsvig, sat down with Tinker AFB Public Affairs to record an edition of the ‘Tinker Talks’ podcast.