Photo By 2nd Lt. Zachary Cacicia | Tech. Sgt. Robert Elliott, 433rd Training Squadron military training instructor...... read more read more
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- An Air Force Reserve military training instructor recruiter visited the 512th Airlift Wing on a recruitment mission June 6 - 10, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
Tech. Sgt. Robert Elliott, an MTI recruiter assigned to the 433rd Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas, had a goal to speak to as many Liberty Wing members as possible to inform them on the career options the 433rd TRS has to offer.
“The problem is most reservists don’t know the unit exists,” said Elliott. “They don’t even realize that there are reserve MTIs.”
The squadron’s mission is to recruit, train and maintain a cadre of MTIs who augment the Air Education and Training Command. It is the only such unit in the Air Force Reserve.
During his visit, which occurred during the 512th AW’s four-day unit training assembly, Elliott said he was able to make contact with about 80 percent of the wing’s personnel. This included briefings with unit commanders, first sergeants and various formations. He reached out to qualified staff, technical and master sergeants about becoming an MTI.
Elliott said, the 433rd TRS currently has traditional reservist slots, full-time air reserve technician and active guard reserve openings.
He is not just an MTI recruiter but also an MTI. He has worked at Basic Military Training since December 2015 and has worked as a recruiter since January. Since then, he has made 10 trips to reserve units around the country. He said trips like this have really helped his squadron on recruitment.
“We are gaining a lot more interest through these visits,” said Elliott.
One of those interested is Tech. Sgt. Daniel Grove, the 512th Development and Training Flight chief.
“I’ve wanted to be an MTI since I graduated basic,” said Grove. “I wasn’t the best human being on the planet before I joined. BMT changed me a great deal; I’ve always wanted to do that for other people.”
Grove who normally is a traditional reservist as a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster, has worked fulltime as the D&TF chief for nearly two years. The flight’s mission is to prepare newly enlisted 512th AW members for BMT and their Air Force Reserve careers.
“I think Sergeant Grove has done a tremendous job with them so far,” said Elliott. “He definitely holds them accountable. I’ve gotten good feedback about Sergeant Grove, and I have good feedback to add about Sergeant Grove. I would fully support his goal of becoming an MTI.”
Elliott spent an entire day with Grove and the D&TF.
“I’m a firm believer in the D&TF program; it definitely sets people up for success before they go to BMT,” said Elliott. “As an MTI, I can see the difference between reserve members and active-duty members, because these reserve members will typically have the basics and more discipline before they go to BMT.”
While with the flight, Elliott made himself available to answer any questions the trainees had on what they will soon experience at BMT. He also conducted drill practice with them and put the flight through a full open ranks inspection.
“This flight is probably one of the better flights I’ve seen,” he said. “They were rusty this morning; but, just like I told the flight, I was impressed with the way they learned in the couple of hours I spent with them.”
Grove said he believes this experience was educational all-around.
“It was enlightening for the trainees, and I learned a lot myself,” said Grove. “I realized that I’m Uncle Sergeant Grove to them. I’m not a trained MTI. I don’t have the big hat. But, I’m here to help transition them into the military. This experience just gave me great training on how to better prepare them.”
One trainee, Cearrah Sherman, said she was grateful to have real MTI experience before shipping out to basic training later this week.
“Sergeant Grove tells us a lot about what to expect, and he brings in a lot of different people to brief us,” said Sherman. “It was great to experience this with someone who we could possibly see when we get to basic.”
On the final day of his visit, Elliott expressed his appreciation for the support he received during his visit and is leaving the Liberty Wing with some good leads.
“Right now, I have about 15 names of interested NCOs from across this wing,” said Elliott. “My visit was very organized, and the wing supported my mission of coming up here and spreading the word of what we do.”
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2018 08:08 |
| Story ID: | 280749 |
| Location: | DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DELAWARE, US |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Liberty Wing embraces unique recruitment visit, by 2nd Lt. Zachary Cacicia, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
