Open-minded is the best way to be Published Aug. 27, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan 87th ABW/PA JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Here comes another week of death by PowerPoint. This is what entered my mind as my supervisor told me I would be attending the First Term Airman's Center. I just finished a technical school full of PowerPoint presentations and I arrive at my first duty station for another weeklong session. Is this what the real Air Force is about? Whether I liked the idea of FTAC or not didn't matter because the course is mandatory for all Airmen arriving to their first duty station. Why is this course mandatory? Why is this course five days long? Why does FTAC start a half hour earlier than my regular work hours? As these questions flooded my mind, I realized it was my job as an Airman to see if this class was necessary. Monday morning at 7 a.m., I, along with approximately 10 or 12 other Airmen, filed into a classroom with a U-shaped desk facing a large white board. Right away I spotted the creature. It was hanging from the ceiling just waiting to cause the most mind-numbing pain known to man. The machine was not on, but soon the instructor would walk to the computer and push play as so many had before her. As I waited for the slides to start appearing on the board, Tech. Sgt. Laura Stanton, 87th Force Support Squadron FTAC Non Commissioned Officer In-Charge, introduced herself to us and gave a short explanation of her Air Force career. She then opened the floor to all of us to introduce ourselves and to tell why we joined the Air Force. (Note that so far the class had not strayed from what I imagined it would be like.) After all the introductions were done, the course started with an informative speech from three members of a local financial service company. They advised us to save our money and explained several different savings plan options. I learned about the importance of my credit score, how to acquire credit and the fundamentals of keeping that score at a reasonable number. With no time to waste, our next guest speaker entered the room. A young staff sergeant from the JB MDL Mental Health Clinic greeted us and began his speech. He informed us of the high rate of suicide in the military and signs people show before attempting suicide. He made it clear it is every servicemember's job to make sure his or her wingman is not only physically fit but also mentally fit. It was a serious speech, but the staff sergeant did a great job keeping us interested and involved. Army Col. Joe Poth, JB MDL deputy commander, greeted all of us that morning with a very motivational speech and a background on the joint base. I thought it was awesome how the man who is second in command on base took time out of his day to greet us and share some of his experiences with us. Since she understands that sitting in a classroom all day can be very boring, Stanton led the class to the auditorium on the first floor of building 2610 for a briefing by a member of the JB MDL safety team. The safety manager began by explaining operational risk management and how we use this simple yet sometimes complicated tool every day. He continued by asking us to name one situation where we don't use ORM. We tried several times, but failed. Along with ORM, he explained the proper driving procedures on base. His comical speech was a good example of how to make dull information funny and easy to understand. The first day of FTAC ended with a physical training session led by Stanton. She takes PT and being physically fit very seriously. With stretching out of the way, she had us do push-ups, planks, crunches and sit-ups to get warmed up for a mile and a half run. She made us work to say the least, but kept us in good spirits the entire time. Throughout the rest of the week, our class was greeted by a member of the Office of Special Investigation and of the Area Defense counsel. Both gave very informative and eye-opening speeches on what is legal and illegal to do in the Air Force. We learned the procedures that OSI or ADC officials take when an Airman is charged with a crime. Another noteworthy speech given during FTAC was a history lesson on terrorism. A master sergeant went over the last 50 years of terrorism with us. A lot of what he told us we had never heard before. He then explained how he was in a building affected by a car bomb. He told us of the entire ordeal and brought a clock from the bombing that had stopped at the exact moment of the explosion. His speech made it clear that terrorism has affected the world for a long time and we should be aware of it not only as military members but as people in general. As the week went on we would participate in two morning PT sessions, one of which Stanton allowed us to choose our work out. The workouts were designed not only to improve out fitness but also to teach us to work together to meet a common goal. It was nice to have fellow Airmen encouraging each other during rigorous training sessions. Friday was the last day of FTAC and even though the course was great we were all ready for the weekend. The day was filled with more speeches and lectures but still no death by PowerPoint. Had I and my fellow Airmen made it through an entire week of training without PowerPoint presentations? The last speaker entered the room, gave a quick briefing on the JB MDL fitness center and left. All the briefings were over but Stanton said she had one more thing for all of us. We noticed at the end of our FTAC schedule a tour of a plane. None of us knew the significance of this tour, but knew we needed to be there. Stanton led the class to a hangar on base to take a tour of a C-118. This was no ordinary C-118; this was one of four possible planes that might have brought Elvis Presley back from overseas during his service. The tour not only allowed us Airmen to see an amazing piece of Air Force history but was an amazing end to a very necessary and important week of training. My goal going into FTAC was to find out whether or not a weeklong introduction to JB MDL was necessary. Throughout FTAC, I met with a representative from every office that I would be in-processing with here. I met the joint base deputy commander and even toured a historic Air Force plane. Out of the entire course, what I have gained most is friends, career development advice and an overall knowledge of JB MDL. This class was one of many steps I have taken in the past year to become an Airman. It was intended not to simply inform me of base services or where the shopette is located. It was about preparing me to be successful in my Air Force career. Fortunately, the class had very few slide show presentations and almost no boring speeches. Most importantly, I've learned this: Don't go into a situation with a pre-set idea or feeling; it will deter you from the task at hand.