Special duty special edition: Military Training Instructor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In order to fill its unique mission requirements, the Air Force employs servicemembers in specialized positions to perform a specific duty. These special duties allow Airmen to step outside their conventional role and experience a completely new side of the Air Force.

One such position is the military training instructor, a position once filled by Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Bushaw, 436th Airlift Wing protocol noncommissioned officer in charge.

"MTI's are responsible for instilling discipline, attention to detail and esprit de corps in trainees entering the Air Force," said Sergeant Bushaw. "MTI's ensure every enlisted member can perform the basic tasks the Air Force requires of them."

Sergeant Bushaw served as an MTI from 1998-2002 at the 322nd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He joined the MTI Corps during a time of increased recruiting in the Air Force; more than 100,000 servicemembers processed through Basic Military Training in two years, said Sergeant Bushaw. He helped transform approximately 5,000 civilians into Airmen during his tenure.

"One of the best parts of [being an MTI] is seeing the fruits of your labor marching down the Bomb Run every couple months," said Sergeant Bushaw. "There's no other job in the Air Force in which you can change a person physically, mentally and emotionally for the rest of their life."

The first step to becoming an MTI begins with the MTI Recruiting Team. Potential MTI's must conduct a series of interviews with the MTIRT, undergo evaluation by a psychiatrist, score high on physical training tests, and display exemplary military standards and conduct. If accepted into MTI School, servicemembers permanently change station to Lackland AFB to begin training.

"The most important thing to remember is to join because, in your heart, you want to give back to the Air Force," said Sergeant Bushaw. "If you join for the intimidating hat and extra pay, you won't endure the rigors of being an MTI."

MTI School teaches the fundamentals of BMT instruction. Classes teach students to effectively teach and manage large groups while maintaining discipline and order. In addition to classroom instruction, students are assigned an MTI trainer who is responsible for acclimating new MTI's to their new position.

"The beginning of my career as an MTI was very difficult," said Sergeant Bushaw. "My trainer had me lead her flight during morning PT, go to MTI School, and return to stay with her flight until lights-out, seven days a week."

The skills Sergeant Bushaw learned as an MTI in training helped him face the variety of challenges BMT presented. MTI's are required to instill knowledge in the classroom and obedience 'on the street.'

"You never face the same challenge twice as an MTI, so you are always growing," said Sergeant Bushaw. "It's always new faces, new situations and new lessons during BMT."

These lessons can open new doors for MTI's down the road; such has proved true for Sergeant Bushaw.

"Being an MTI has changed me forever; I wouldn't be able to do what I do here without the experience I received 'on the street,'" said Sergeant Bushaw.