Teaching the Basics
Reserve military training instructors ensure new recruits get off on the right foot

By Master Sgt. Patrick E. Clarke

     His days begin at 4 a.m. Uniform crisply starched, shoes shined to the point that he can see his reflection and hair closely cropped, he’s the epitome of a military professional, perfectly adhering to the highest standards.
     Staff Sgt. Ed Rivera is ready to begin another grueling but rewarding day at the Military Training Instructor School. When he completes the course, this Air Force reservist will be able to add the finishing touch to his impeccable appearance, a “Smoky the Bear” campaign hat.
     Throughout the duration of the 14-week school, Rivera is assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 433rd Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. 
     “It’s a very motivating environment,” Rivera said. “The hard part is you spend eight hours a day in school getting lectures and going through inspections, then some days you spend four or five additional hours with your trainer at the squadron doing on-the-job training with actual trainees. So, one hour you could be learning theory and the next hour you could be putting it to use.”
     Facing and overcoming challenging opportunities are par for the course for a military training instructor, said Senior Master Sgt. Michael V. Galifaro, 433rd TRS training superintendent.
     “This is a very physically and mentally demanding special-duty assignment,” Galifaro said. “Our instructors spend a lot of time on their feet, be it marching, running or inspecting the dorm. But this job never gets boring.”
     The 433rd was the first Reserve unit to be activated in the Air Education and Training Command, starting in 1983 with a handful of people. Initially, some active-duty people were skeptical that a Reserve unit would be able to “fit in” and perform at the “Gateway to the Air Force.” Those initial concerns were soon put to rest, however, as the 433rd TRS proved itself to be a very capable, mission-ready partner.
     The unit’s performance was validated by an initial rating of excellent from the 737th Training Group standardization and evaluation team. Subsequently, the 433rd has received an overall rating of outstanding on its past five inspections.
     As the unit’s reputation grew, so did its size. Today it has authorizations for 74 enlisted people, two officers and one civilian.
     The 433rd does much of its recruiting locally.
     “It’s tough to get a pool nationally because of the requirement to perform UTAs (unit training assemblies) at Lackland,” Galifaro  said.
     In addition, the exacting standards, scrutiny and intense peer pressure can be very demanding.
     “Anything expected of a trainee, the instructor must be able to do better,” Galifaro said. “If you show a trainee anything less than the standard, you’re setting a poor example.”
     Rivera wouldn’t have it any other way.
     “To be the first impression or role model for a trainee is something I would find very fulfilling,” he said.
     Tech. Sgt. Andrew R. Eagen, who has been a Reserve military training instructor since 1991, agrees.
     “This is the best job I’ve had in my life,” he said. “In six weeks you see people change from kids without any direction to airmen with a focus.”
     “The position of the training instructor is one job in the Air Force that has an impact on future generations of airmen,” said Maj. Tim Swinney, 433rd TRS commander, who was also an instructor. “This position leaves you with a great sense of pride and accomplishment.”
     Active-duty training instructors especially appreciate their Reserve counterparts in the summer months, during what they refer to as the surge period when the Air Force brings in 1,000 to 1,200 new recruits each week.
     “They’re lifesavers,” said Chief Master Sgt. J.R. Williams, who recently retired from his job as superintendent of Air Force basic military training with the 737th TRG. “During the summer, when we surge and the trainee load goes way up, it’s invaluable to have the Reserve MTIs step in to fill the gap.”
     In addition, the reservists “help keep our experience level up while we hire new MTIs,” Williams said. “We’ve hired more than 100 active-duty MTIs in the last year, and it takes about a year to get them fully seasoned.”
     That seasoning will become even more focused when a planned change in the military training instructor course length and structure takes place in the next few months, said Jim Cain, training manager for the 737th TRG.
     “We’re dropping the course from 70 days to 29 days,” Cain said. “They (instructors) will accomplish the same training, though, because after the 29 days they’ll be permanently assigned to an operational training squadron in the 737th TRG and essentially do a teaching practicum. We feel this will be a smoother way to accomplish the training.”
     Williams refers to the active-duty/Reserve MTI mix as a “seamless operation. The Reserve MTIs maintain the same standards expected of our active-duty MTIs. We can call them in at any time.”
     Chief Master Sgt. Billy Blackburn,  former AFRC command chief master sergeant who replaced Williams as superintendent of Air Force basic military training, agrees with Williams. Blackburn, who assumed his new position Dec. 1, served as a military training instructor for 11 years, on active duty and in the Reserve. Also, he knows firsthand what a strong impression an instructor can have on recruits.
     “When I came in the Air Force, I was impressed with my MTI’s professionalism, dress and appearance, and I knew it was something I wanted to do.”
     Blackburn said it’s important for instructors to be very confident in themselves and their abilities.
     “I do think you have to be very self-confident to be an MTI,” he said. “If I have people converting civilians into military members, I’d want somebody confident.”
     Blackburn’s confidence certainly had a positive influence on Master Sgt. Dave Rawlins, chief of education and training programs at AFRC.
     “Chief Blackburn was one of the best influences I’ve had since coming in,” said Rawlins, who went through basic training in 1980.
     When Rawlins was assigned to AFRC headquarters at Robins AFB, Ga., he hadn’t seen Blackburn in 17 or 18 years.
     “When I saw him walk down the hall, I thought, ‘This guy should have taps on his shoes.’ When he turned around, I saw it was Chief Blackburn. I walked right over and thanked him for everything he’d done for me.”
     Hearing positive comments and experiencing those types of moments keep instructors motivated, Galifaro said.
     “When a student you trained years ago comes up to you and says, ‘Hey sir, you really made a difference,’ that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
     Rivera said he hopes to have similar experiences down the road. For now, his main focus is completing the school, which teaches things such as drill, dormitory setup and basic Air Force  knowledge.
     “We’re even shown the proper way to do exercises,” Rivera said.
     Then, it’s up to him and his fellow instructors to translate that knowledge to the trainees.
     “You can say we’re the teaching tool and the teaching aide,” Rivera said. “We’re it. We’re recruits’ sole source of instruction most of the time.”
     As if that isn’t enough to keep his 70-person unit jumping, “we’re also the sole support for MTIs for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps field training encampments throughout the country,” Galifaro said. And last year, the squadron entered into an agreement with the Air Force Academy to train people involved in its basic cadet training program.
     “We’re also the subject matter experts for Air Force Reserve ceremonial functions,” Galifaro said. “Since 1988 we have coordinated numerous ceremonies throughout the command. We script and train all the key personnel for anything from a stationary change of command to a full parade with a pass and review.”
     Whether it’s their professional bearing, knowledge and execution of drill and ceremony or tilt of their hats and the taps on their shoes, Galifaro said Reserve training instructors make a lasting impression.
     Anyone interested in becoming a military training instructor may call Master Sgt. Rick Gamundi of the 433rd TRS at DSN 473-2410 or commercial (210) 671-2059. His e-mail address is Ricardo.Gamundi@ lackland.af.mil.
     (Sergeant Clarke was formerly assigned to the 940th Air Refueling Wing Office of Public Affairs, Beale AFB, Calif.)

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