MTLs mentor, lead Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Randall Moose
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

The U.S. Air Force depends on Goodfellow military training leaders to oversee the training of the military’s firefighter, reconnaissance, intelligence and surveillance students.

“We’re here to mentor and lead the Airmen,” said Staff Sgt. Amber Gagnon, 316th Training Squadron MTL. “We pretty much get them from point A to B, during their whole training pipeline. We perform room inspections, lead formations, ensure their safety and if needed, we discipline them.”

MTLs perform a variety of duties.

“We wear the hat of just about any and every agency at any given point in the day,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Henry IV, 316th MTL assistant flight chief.  “Whether it’s operating vehicles to bus Airmen during [foul weather], making sure they get paid the right pay or ensuring that they get promoted, that's what we’ll do.”

Sometimes MTLs are more than an instructor.

“It's our job to be the person to figure out what is the best route for them,” said Henry.

Henry went on to say, there have been times when Airmen may have had a dysfunctional family. They might have seen their MTLs as parent figures, as someone who actually cared for them or had their best interest in mind.

MTLs are privileged to be mentors and to see their Airman transition from training into the work force.

“We enjoy mentoring Airmen,” said Gagnon. “We enjoy it when we take an Airman that needs help and they improve. To see them graduate is the most fulfilling part of my job.”