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Airminded Warriors wanted: Forging the next generation of Airmen

  • Published
  • By Second Air Force
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  

The call is clear: the Air Force needs talented Airmen to transform civilians into Airminded Warriors. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force has called on us to remain a capable, credible, and ready force. To meet that charge, Second Air Force is calling on experienced and motivated Airmen to step forward as Military Training Instructors (MTIs). The next evolution of Air Force training requires leaders who have lived the mission—those who understand what it means to fight, to serve, to endure, and to win. Now, the force needs warriors to produce the next generation of warriors.

At the heart of this transformation is Basic Military Training (BMT), where the foundation of every enlisted Airman’s identity is formed. Second Air Force has launched a sweeping, multi-phase modernization of BMT focused on preparing Airmen for tomorrow’s fight. The new approach emphasizes the role of an Airman in executing the Air Force mission by understanding the basic concepts of defending, operating, generating and sustaining air and space power. The redesigned approach develops Airmen who are not only physically ready to fly, fix, and fight, but who also possess critical thinking skills, resilience, adaptability, teamwork, and perseverance.

BMT is evolving beyond drill, ceremony, and dormitories. The new curriculum integrates immersive, scenario-based training that mirrors real-world operations. Central to this evolution is the Primary Agile Combat Employment Range Forward Operations Readiness Exercise (PACER FORGE), a culminating event that places trainees in a simulated deployed airfield environment. There, they operate as small teams under pressure, learning to defend, operate, generate, and sustain airpower in dynamic conditions. The experience is hands-on, high-tempo, and demands leadership, decision-making, and composure.

“This generation of Airmen is preparing for conflicts dramatically different than those we have experienced over the last 50 years,” said Maj. Gen. Wolfe Davidson, Second Air Force commander. “Our training must prepare them for their future, not our past. We are training a generation of Airmen who don't just follow orders, but who can think, adapt, and lead under pressure specifically to defend, operate, generate and sustain air and space power. We are building the foundation for the lethal, combat-ready Air Force our nation needs to deter and defeat any enemy.” said Davidson. “And we do this at a rate of 42K Airmen per year!”

This shift aligns directly with senior leader priorities to cultivate a disciplined and ready force while adding a critical operational dimension to BMT. In the redesigned program, drill and ceremony remains a developmental tool—building teamwork, bearing, and discipline that is then applied in operational contexts such as fueling and rearming aircraft, responding to airfield threats, and executing small-team tasks. Developing the understanding and competency of Airman to defend, operate, generate and sustain airpower is the transformative element of BMT Next.

Second Air Force is seeking talented Noncommissioned Officers with a passion for leadership to serve as MTIs and bring operational credibility to this transformation. Instructors with experience in high-tempo or deployed environments provide authenticity and mentorship that cannot be replicated by curriculum alone. Their leadership shapes Airmen who understand that the mission demands more than technical skill—it requires airmindedness: a professional mindset rooted in core values and ownership of the Air Force mission to fly, fight and win.

“The influence of these instructors is unmatched,” said Col. Patrick Lowe, Second Air Force deputy commander. “Within three years, MTIs will train more than 125,000 Airmen—directly shaping nearly a third of our Air Force. This is not just a special duty; it is a legacy.”

MTIs have long exemplified the highest standards of military bearing, appearance, and discipline. Today’s instructors also teach foundational combat skills, including weapons handling, airfield orientation, and small-team response to contested operating environments. Through lived example, MTIs instill the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do—preparing Airmen to integrate technology, teamwork, and tactical decision-making in any theater.  For those that may not feel prepared for some of these tasks, don’t worry, our MTI School is being revamped to prepare you for this mission.

“As NCOs, our most sacred duty is to prepare the next generation of Airmen to replace us,” said Chief Master Sgt. Colin Fleck, Second Air Force command chief. “MTIs embody that responsibility, and there is no role where an NCO can have a wider or more lasting impact. If you want to drive positive change in our Air Force, there is no better place to serve.”

Airmen ready to answer the call can volunteer for MTI duty through MyVector and access additional resources via the SharePoint link below.

“These are the most sweeping changes to BMT in my career, rightly focused on training disciplined warriors and world-class Airmen,” Fleck added. “We need dedicated NCOs to join us in this effort. Our purpose is clear: Fly, Fix, and Fight. Come help forge the warriors our nation needs—and leave your legacy on the Air Force.”

Future MTI Candidate Resources: (CAC Required)

https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/aetc-ksl-2af/2AF/A3/A3M/CMT/SitePages/Military-Training-Instructor.aspx?source=https%3A%2F%2Fusaf.dps.mil%2Fsites%2Faetc-ksl-2af%2F2AF%2FA3%2FA3M%2FCMT%2FSitePages%2FForms%2FByAuthor.aspx