Air Force implements technical school new transition program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Moore
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) --  The Air Force implemented a new technical training transition program Nov. 15, after successful test periods at Keelser and Goodfellow.

As the initial test base for the new transition program, Goodfellow has been able to run some variation of it since November 2008, said Senior Master Sgt. Carlos Miramontes, 17th Training Group Military Training Leader Superintendent.

"The transition program facilitates a more effective transition from the rigid basic military training environment to the operational Air Force by reducing some of the administrative burden, and encouraging more MTL to non-prior service Airman interaction," Sergeant Miramontes said.

"Over the past 18 years, the enlisted phase program had transformed into a bloated management tool used to control and manage Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Edward Bradley, the training chief of 2nd Air Force's military, in explaining why the change was necessary.

In an effort to create a more descriptive way to explain the duties of their position, military training leaders have gone through a few title changes, from student training adviser to military training managers to MTLs.

"Unfortunately, the management philosophy did not change with the titles, so a new transition program was developed," the chief said.

Sergeant Miramontes said the initial challenge during Goodfellow's test was changing the phase program mindset.

"The military training community was accustomed to 'cookie cutter' or 'matrixed' corrective disciplinary measures," he said. "The transition program requires a flexible leadership style that employs mutual respect, support, genuine concern, and targeted doses of discipline, as needed. Our goal is to help Airmen better understand their role in the Air Force and counsel or mentor more frequently and more effectively."

A few noticeable differences between the old program and the new are the number of phases, phase backs, MTL workload, physical training testing and tobacco use.

Previously, in the three-phase system, if an Airman met all requirements, Phase II was granted on day 15 and Phase III was granted on day 36. The new two-phase transition program uses an initial transition period and an advanced transition period that employs a core values approach to adapt Airmen to the military lifestyle, Chief Bradley explained.

The goals during the ITP are to indoctrinate a technical training lifestyle, set the standard and define expectations, according to Chief Bradley.

"Airmen must meet requirements such as excelling in performance in dormitory and dress and appearance inspections, display knowledge of the unit mission and core values and exhibit academic excellence prior to transitions into the ATP," he said.

During the ATP, MTLs will continuously monitor and mentor, focusing on the whole Airman.

Sergeant Miramontes said the program ensures MTLs give consideration to the Airman's time in service and current transition period to motivate and guide the behavior of non-prior service Airmen.

Once Airmen reach the ATP, they'll remain there. Gone are the fears of phase backs, in which a student would be reassigned to a previously completed phase and have to re-accomplish requirements to "phase up," he said.

"Phase backs will no longer be in place," Chief Bradley said. "Rather, those identified would undergo a remedial transition period which will run parallel with their current ITP or ATP. The specifically identified behavior will be focused on and corrected. MTLs will work in conjunction with squadron senior leadership to tailor corrective measures."

The remedial transition period, a temporary measure tailored to raise performance to meet standards, should last no more than 15 calendar days, officials said. A flight chief may extend the RTP another 15 days, not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Subsequent RTPs may be applied whenever performance falls below standards.

Additionally, with academic success as a requirement to advance into ATP, MTLs will have to work closely with the Airmen's academic instructor. Previously, there was little to no interaction between the two, Chief Bradley said.

"Through the old phase system, Airmen took physical training tests to 'phase up' and prior to departing for their first duty station," he noted. "In the new transition program, Airmen will take monthly PT appraisals and PT three days per week."

Another noticeable change from the phase system to the transition program is the smoking policy. Under the old phase program, students weren't allowed to smoke on base.

"Not allowing students to smoke presented a huge obstacle with our local communities," Chief Bradley said. "Unfortunately, Airmen were smoking right outside the gates or in front of people's residences. They were also smoking in the woods and dormitories, creating a fire hazard. With the new program, students can use tobacco in designated tobacco use areas within their training area during non-academic hours and while not in uniform."

According to Chief Master Sgt. Brendan Criswell, 17th Training Wing Command Chief, Goodfellow is currently identifying student tobacco use areas and expects to implement the changes by the end of the year.

Students smoking, PT standards, phases and MTL workloads are just a few areas undergoing changes with the new transition program, and tweaks are expected to be made.

"This is the way we're going to do business," the chief said. "Are there things that'll have to be tweaked? Yes. However, we need to implement and give the program a chance."

(Connie Hempel, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)