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AMTs build dynamic leaders of character

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Each year, approximately 1,200 future Air Force leaders begin what may be the most challenging experience of their lives - the U.S. Air Force Academy. For the next four years, these cadets will endure Basic Cadet Training and rigorous academic and military studies while maintaining peak physical fitness levels. But they will not bear this burden alone.

Alongside the cadets will be a group of NCOs - academy military training NCOs - dedicated to building the Air Force leaders of tomorrow. One such AMT was Team Dover's Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Spain, air freight superintendant with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron. Spain served as an AMT from 2007-2011, during which time he helped transform approximately 3,752 civilians into cadets.

"An AMT is a jack of all trades, leveraging their skills to build the best leaders they can," he said. "Their mission is to take in civilians and transform them into future generals."

The Academy has a track record of producing proven leaders, accounting for approximately one-sixth of all Air Force four-star generals despite graduating fewer cadets annually than other commissioning sources. The Academy is divided into four groups of 10 squadrons each. In total, approximately 4,000 cadets are enrolled at the Academy at one time. AMTs are a recent addition to the Academy, evolving from a small core of enlisted personnel formed in 1996 called "military training leaders."

"The duty now known as AMT came into effect in 2004; since that time, AMTs have constantly worked to expand our credibility at the Academy," said Spain. "Now, AMTs are tasked with overseeing the training of a cadet from day-one to graduation."

That credibility is crucial, said Spain, to building a rapport with the cadets. Whereas enlisted military training instructors have only eight weeks to transform civilians into Airmen, AMTs serve as cadets' role models for four years. As cadets mature, the role of AMTs evolves from a MTI and professional military education instructor, enforcer of strict military standards, to a supportive first sergeant and supervisor. AMTs are trained to meet the expectations of each role. In any case, the AMT duty is all about people.

"Communication is key [for AMTs]; they are challenged to motivate the motivated," said Spain. "It's all about projecting the example cadets will be expected to follow: AMTs are always on parade."

That is not exaggeration; AMTs do not have a standard work day or hours, instead working according to the needs of the cadets they oversee. In an environment in which a knock on the door could change one's day, an AMT must be ready to adapt to a constantly-changing work environment. It is a significant responsibility, said Spain, but one that pays off in the end.

"Job satisfaction comes in the form of delayed gratification," said Spain. "After four years, AMTs can watch the men and women they trained from day-one become dynamic leaders of character. Those are the proudest moments."

Technical sergeants and master sergeants interested in the duty may contact the Academy military training NCO functional manger at (719) 333-9612 or DSN 333-9612, or via e-mail at usafa.cws@usafa.edu.