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'Perspective' highlights military training instructors

  • Published
  • By Janie W. Santos
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  In the latest "Enlisted Perspective, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses on the importance of military training instructors, how they mold future Airmen for their entire career and the shortage the career field is anticipating during the next few months.

"I still remember the military training instructors from my time attending Air Force basic training back in 1974: Tech. Sgt. Taylor and Staff Sgt. Duke," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "Just as I remember them, I also remember the lessons they taught me.

"These MTIs taught me the foundations of service to our nation: military bearing, standards and discipline. Those very same lessons have helped mold me into the Airman I am today," Chief McKinley said.

However, the Air Force needs more MTIs now to meet the demands of increasing end strength, since the Air Force is recruiting about 4,000 additional enlisted Airmen per year over the next two years.

The chief said military training instructors have tremendous job satisfaction in molding the Air Force's future leaders along with numerous other benefits, including a stable four-year controlled tour and special duty pay.

"If that is not enough, being an MTI gives Airmen unparalleled leadership and supervisory experience and sets them up for future personal and professional success," Chief McKinley said.

This "Enlisted Perspective" and other senior leader viewpoints can be found on the library section of Air Force Link.