Looking for a few good MTIs

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Air Force basic military training is facing a severe shortage in military training instructors and recruitment for more is underway. 

In an Air Force Times article published Jan. 9, Air Education and Training Command announced in November 2008 that it was seeking volunteers to fill 205 more technical school instructor slots and more than 200 MTI slots. This increased need can be directly tied to the increase in basic military training from a six week program to an eight-an-a-half week program, it went on to say. 

"The influx of new Airmen entering the Air Force and the recent expansion of the BMT program [to eight-and-a-half weeks] equals more trainees in the pipeline at any given time," said Master Sgt. Tim Hezel, Malmstrom's career assistance advisor. "More than 200 MTIs are needed and leadership at all levels is evaluating several options to alleviate these shortages." 

One option is to launch an intense recruiting effort, he said. 

"Career assistance advisors worldwide are being asked to assist in spreading the word and helping in the recruiting efforts," Sergeant Hezel said. 

Recruiting teams are out visiting locations in hopes of filling some slots and while they are not slated at this time to come to Malmstrom in the near future, the following information is provided on eligibility requirements for MTIs: 

· Be in the rank of senior airman through technical sergeant with less than 17 years total Air Force military service 

· Possess skill level commensurate with pay grade 

· Have 48 months retainability as of the report not later than month
 
· Project an outstanding professionally military image 

· No record of disciplinary action or financial irresponsibility within the past five years
 
· Excellent military records and performance reports 

In addition, it has been reported that service in a special duty assignments aids in promotion to higher enlisted ranks. 

"Our analysts found that serving a tour as an MTI and returning to a regular Air Force Specialty Code has historically had a positive impact on promotion rates to E-6 to E-9 [technical sergeant to chief master sergeant]," said Senior Master Sgt. Sandra LePine, A1/A1PF. 

For example, current [E-6] MTIs had a 6 percent advantage over those who never served as an MTI; former MTIs had a 20 percent advantage over those who never served and a 14 percent advantage over those currently serving as MTIs, Sergeant Lepine said. 

There are also comparisons for the other senior NCO ranks, which Sergeant Hezel can provide. 

Anyone interested in pursuing a special duty assignment as an MTI should contact Sergeant Hezel at 731-4766 for complete information.