Reserve MTI corps needs a few, good Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joe Yanik
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Two military training instructors with the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, visited the 512th Airlift Wing to speak with Reservists about the opportunities for professional growth and development as MTIs, Jan. 11, 2015 at Dover Air Force, Delaware.

The 433rd TRS is seeking qualified Reservists command-wide to fill approximately 30 MTI vacancies.

As members of Air Force Reserve Command's only unit of Reserve basic MTIs, Master Sgt. Carlos Recorder and Tech. Sgt. Jose Rodriguez answered questions and shared experiences from their combined 15 years of preparing newly-enlisted trainees for U.S. Air Force military service.

For Recorder and Rodriguez, job satisfaction doesn't come from the aspects commonly associated with the MTI role - like being able to yell at trainees or even wearing the broad-brimmed hat with a high crown, known as a campaign hat.

"We want to impact the lives of trainees so they can become productive members of the Air Force," said Recorder. "These trainees are our replacements."

Although MTIs are required to instruct enlistees to perform all the same military skillsets like properly saluting, marching and wearing the Air Force uniform, Recorder said there are a variety of challenges for MTIs that keep the job interesting.

One challenge, he said, is that there is no single approach to instruction because trainees retain information differently.

To prepare for their role, MTIs train on how to overcome the challenges of various temperaments and personalities among trainees so they become more receptive to instruction.

Besides learning developmental techniques, other skillsets an MTI acquires on the job are effective time management, multi-tasking and military professionalism.

Recorder, who has been serving in the special duty assignment for nine years, said Reservists bring valuable perspective to the role of MTI because they are both civilians and military members. 

Airman 1st Class Nicholas Arndt, 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron, was among the Reservists who had questions for Recorder and Rodriguez about becoming a part of the cadre that facilitates the Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills Training course during basic military training, also known as BEAST.

"I learned I would have to first become an MTI before joining the cadre," said Arndt, adding that he already has begun preparing to pursue applying to become an MTI.

"I've received a lot of encouragement from my leadership that becoming an MTI is an obtainable goal."

Specific criteria that Arndt and other interested reservists need to meet to be qualified for the MTI special duty assignment include 42 months of retainability in the Air Force Reserve, a rank of staff sergeant promotable to technical sergeant and a current physical training composite score of 80% or better. A full list of qualifying criteria to become a Reserve MTI is located at http://433trs.org. To contact the 433rd TRS MTI recruiting team, call 210-671-2410.

Recorder added that if you're looking for a job with a lot of sitting, being an MTI is probably not for you.

"An MTI cannot lead from behind a desk," added Rodriguez. "You've got to get out there and run with (the trainees), be a mentor."