Military Training Leaders: leading by example

Published Dec. 12, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (Dec. 12, 2014) -- - As loadmaster and boom operator students enter their technical training at Altus Air Force Base, they rely on a small group of military training leaders to help with personal and professional matters and enforcing military standards.

Military training leaders have the important job of being the first supervisors an Airman will have after completing basic training.

"We get to mold them from the ground up," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Smith, 97th Training Squadron military training leader. "That's the most important thing - mold them and give them an example of what to expect from a supervisor."

With a realistic view that not all supervisors are good, Smith's goal is to teach the Airmen what a supervisor does and how to get the most out of a supervisor.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Greg Kuhn, 97th Training Squadron military training flight commander, agrees with Smith. "We try to teach the Airmen what will make them successful; not only in the Air Force, but in life as well."

Teaching Airmen how a good supervisor operates is best done by example and that is exactly what the Altus AFB military training leaders strive to do. "Everyone has different personalities and ways of handling things," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy Rowland, 97th Training Squadron military training leader. "We have to adjust to each person when helping them with their issues."

With Airmen coming and going all year, challenges are bound to come up and the military training leaders are there to help. "The Airmen come in with all kinds of issues and we get to help them through that," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Martina Armour, 97th Training Squadron military training leader. "Sometimes it's just talking and listening to them and it's good to see when the pieces fall in place."

Though helping Airmen with issues is great, that's not the only thing military training leaders do. Due to the size of the school, Altus AFB military training leaders have to do things differently than larger technical schools. "Normally, military training leaders would be in charge of one or two jobs such as physical training or in-processing, but we all do everything here," said Rowland.

"We conduct room and uniform inspections, handle in and out-processing, help with setting up recruiters assistance programs," said Armour. "And all of them have different schedules so we have to be flexible with how we manage them."

Though the military training leaders are the mentors and leaders, they said the students have helped them grow professionally as well. Clear communication, counseling techniques and being able to adjust to each person are aspects that each military training leader has improved during their time leading Airmen.

"I've learned humility," said Kuhn. "I really cherish that. You have to trust the person in the mirror and actually care for the people."

Military training leaders are charged with a great responsibility and continue to focus on the team concept. "This is a diverse group. We don't focus on our differences, but what we have in common; our core values," Kuhn said.