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Educators learn about Air Force opportunities up close

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Out of 100 contacts an Air Force recruiter makes, roughly one makes it to basic training. Of the more than 30.8 million Americans ages 17 to 27, only 27 percent of them would qualify for military service, primarily due to poor aptitude test scores, inability to meet physical standards, insufficient education, or conduct or legal issues.

During the Air Force Recruiting Service's latest Distinguished Educator Tour held recently, many attendees heard these facts, did a double take and asked the briefer to repeat his statement.

It is tough, but true, "Today's Airmen must want to be in," said Col. Stan Chase, AFRS deputy commander.

To assist recruiters in reaching the right candidates for today's enlisted force, AFRS annually conducts two four-day tours in San Antonio for high school and community college counselors, teachers and principals from around the country, showing them that their star students may have a bright future in the Air Force.

Educators hear, witness and experience basic training while it is in progress. They participate in technical school course activities, tour Air Force facilities and aircraft, and have opportunities to speak candidly with trainees and experienced Airmen, both officers and enlisted.

"Every time you show us something, I think this is my favorite experience, but then you come up with another experience that's even better. It's amazing," said Suzanne Miller, a career technician from Claremont High School, Calif., following a luncheon with basic military trainees.

One typically impressive tour experience is witnessing Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and hearing from military training instructors how high school and undergraduate students learn to become Airmen. During the tour, the MTIs remain in character as role leaders. Tour guests are often surprised when they hear instructions bellowed at a trainee whose actions merit correction.

The tours are also a highpoint for the MTIs, said Tech. Sgt. Jeff Martin, who has served as a military training instructor for more than two years.

"I love doing these tours and showing off our future Airmen," he said. He enjoys them so much that he participates in several tours monthly for high school ROTC cadets and other guests because it gives him the opportunity to share his insight as to what kind of person makes a successful Airman. According to Sergeant Martin, personal integrity is one of the most important characteristics a trainee can possess, along with a willingness and aptitude to learn.

"I don't have the time to instill a sense of 'right and wrong' in a trainee in just six and one-half or eight and a half weeks," he said in response to question asked by one of the educators during a briefing. "I can teach any trainee sent here how to become an Airman if he or she has the right character."

The educator tours are also a highlight for top trainees who enjoy an extended lunchtime with the educators. Military training instructors pair tour guests with trainees, who dine in the same facility where trainees eat all their meals in an atmosphere of "relaxed" lunch rules, allowing trainees to talk and have more time to eat than they are normally granted while maintaining proper military bearing.

Conversations between the educators and trainees commonly center on the trainees' homes, why they chose to join the Air Force and what basic training is like. Some of the trainees even share their home mailing address with the educators so the guest can write to the trainee's parents and share the news about meeting their son or daughter.

"It was a good experience," said Kevin McCoid, a fifth-week Basic Military Training trainee from California, after clearing his and his guest's dirty dishes. "It was interesting sharing my training experiences with a civilian and good to hear what they think about us as Airmen."

Each tour culminates with front-row seats at Basic Military Training graduation on Lackland AFB parade grounds.

On this recent tour, the educators saw first-hand how well the weeks of discipline and training pay off as they witnessed hundreds of Airmen in flight formations parading in review for the presiding general officer, and carrying the U.S. and state flags. During the finale, the graduates stood at attention in front of the U.S. flag, the commander, and bleachers overflowing with family members and guests, held up their right hands and boldly recited the oath of enlistment.

The ceremony left tears in the eyes of many educators who witnessed the life-changing event earned by the few who were willing to do what it takes to achieve. It also helped some develop a greater understanding of the difference the Air Force makes in the lives of many young Americans.

"I have come away (from this experience) with a renewed spirit and greater sense of patriotism," said Donna Oshiro, a career guidance counselor from Covina High School, Calif.

For more information about the AFRS Distinguished Educator tour, read the fact sheet at http://www.rs.af.mil/library/factsheet.asp?id=9465.