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First class of MTLs graduate new course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Duncan McElroy, 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Ten NCOs graduated from the 81st Training Support Squadron’s military training leader course here Feb. 11.

The course, formerly based out of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, teaches NCOs and senior NCOs selected via the Developmental Special Duty program the ins and outs of leading Airmen through technical training.

“We teach a variety of different topics,” said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Mullen, 81st TRSS MTL schoolhouse instructor. “They learn about technical training-specific topics like the Airmen Leader Program, Charge of Quarters, remedial military training, transition programs, as well as instruction and refreshers on human behavior, drill formations and terms, MTL qualities, how to lead physical training, dress and appearance and more.”

MTLs serve as the day-to-day leadership for Airmen in technical training after Basic Military Training. Contrary to their BMT counterparts, military training instructors, MTLs act in more of a support role than a moment-to-moment authority figure like MTIs; they supplement the foundational training learned in BMT with the approach of a first-line supervisor.

“We are so excited to have the honor to train the next generation of MTLs,” said Col. Michele Edmondson, 81st Training Wing commander. “These outstanding NCOs and senior NCOs have been hand-picked to develop and inspire our newest Airmen across the Air Education and Training Command enterprise and we’re absolutely committed to providing them the best curriculum and training environment to prepare them for what I hope will be the most rewarding jobs of their careers.”

“It just makes sense to have it here,” Mullen added about the course’s move to Keesler. “We’re a model of technical training with the Levitow [Training Support Facility] and its one-stop-shop for meeting Airmen’s needs. Team Keesler prides itself on being the best place to provide technical training. We’re taking every opportunity to actually go see the training in action over in the 81st Training Group.”

With graduation complete and the distinctive blue aiguillettes fixed to their shoulders, the newly-minted MTLs returned to their respective bases to pass on the course’s motto of ‘Mentor, Train, Lead’ to the next generation of Airmen.