Training through a student's eyes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As a training base, part of Goodfellow's mission is to "develop exceptional fire protection professionals for America and Her allies," but Airman 1st Class Bradley Jenkins is more than just the average student.

This 312th Training Squadron student bears a yellow rope on his left shoulder, signifying his ability to lead other Airmen while still staying on top of his student duties. The leadership qualities Jenkins' possess did not just appear in technical school here. These qualities began when his Air Force career started with basic military training. Although he did not bear the title of element leader or dorm chief, he led the flight as the guidon bearer.

"I believe I was behind the scenes in BMT, helping to lead the flight without actually being the one who gave commands," began Jenkins. "As far as being a leader goes, I was one. I was able to turn to any of the element leaders, the dorm chief or someone else and say, 'we need to stop doing this,' or 'we need to do this,' and they had the respect for me to listen to what I was saying and take action."

From BMT to technical school, Jenkins progressed into the leader he is today.

"It took me a while to transition from being behind the scenes to being up front as far as being a leader goes," said Jenkins. "Personally, I generally like to feel any situation out when I first arrive to a new setting or area. I like to learn who people are and gain their respect. Then, slowly move into that position. By the time I became an Airmen leader, I had a lot of respect from people who were in class with me as well as the classes above and below me. Other Airmen could see that I tried my best in everything that I did."

While some Airmen try to get out of being an Airmen leader in technical school, Jenkins took the task head on.

"The way I think about it is there are two different thought processes," started Jenkins "One: other branches use prior service students as the leaders while the Air Force doesn't, so that only leaves the next ranking members of the students, airman first classes. Someone has to do it; someone has to lead, so why not step up and do it. Two: if you could lead your peers effectively here, you can potentially be a good NCO or senior NCO. Eventually, everyone is going to have to lead other Airmen, so why not take the opportunity now? "

For Jenkins, leading his peers is not always an easy task.

"The hardest thing to do is to be able to get Airmen to buy into the little rules and regulations," explained Jenkins. "Trying to get them to follow rules from BMT, uphold the standards we were taught, including the way we march, wear the uniform or act as Airmen in uniform or out of uniform translates directly to being an NCO or SNCO, to me. If I learn how to get Airmen to follow rules now, it should be easy to get them to do things that have more of an impact in the operational Air Force or any career."

Being a leader, doesn't just mean telling people what they can and cannot do. Sometimes, Jenkins has to be a student counselor for his peers.

"I have had numerous opportunities to counsel or to help Airmen see the big picture or to help to have a better perspective of the training, the Air Force or just life in general," said Jenkins. "Being an Airman leader means being able to try to understand what they are going through and try to help them go on the right path or to get what they need. I also help them to not only better themselves as Airmen but in life as well."

Leader, counselor, student and Airman are just a few of the job titles Jenkins has, so how does he do it all?

"Priorities," Jenkins simply stated. "You could spend all day studying for a test you have and completely neglect your Airmen leader duties, or you could do the complete opposite, but at the end of the day, I am still an Airman with many obligations and duties to fulfill."

Jenkins is not just any Airman; he is also a firefighter who likes learning at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy.

"I enjoy the training here," said Jenkins. "It tests your physical, mental and intellectual health. I can't just take a water hose out and put water on the fire until it goes out ... especially with aircraft, you are dealing with fuel and other techniques to put a fire out; you learn the science behind it."

Training to be a firefighter may not always be fun and games. The fire academy bares a sign that says, 'train as if someone's life depends on it.' Jenkins believes that knowing that someone's life does depend on the effort put forth in training does make a difference.

"The instructors and your classmates bring a level of intensity that helps you push through the struggle of pulling all the gear and working as a team to get it done," Jenkins added.

Jenkins' believes seeing the variety of branches teaching firefighting plays a role in how he is trained.

"To see the mix of services we have, as far as branches and instructors, at the fire school and as far as learning how to work with other branches is awesome," said Jenkins. "Being able to see how they work as a team and as a whole to accomplish the mission like putting out a fire or to save the building is a great learning experience."

The instructors at the 312th TRS are not just teachers for Jenkins.

"It's great to see that the instructors are not just firefighters, they are mentors for Airmen as well," added Jenkins. "They take time out of their day to help Airmen no matter what the situation."

Staff Sgt. Timothy C. Butler, 312th Training Squadron instructor, believes being a mentor plays a part in being a leader.

"We like to mentor our students," Butler said. "They see all kinds of leadership in us, and it is not easy, being respected, competent to make crew decisions, identify the need to mentor someone, when ten minutes later a quality instructor may need to switch back into that authoritative leadership."

Not only is mentorship important at an early stage of an Airman's career important, molding them is as well.

"Developing our Airmen while they are here now, includes explaining the need for them to understand the importance of their tasks or responsibilities in the Fire Protection career field and the Air Force," said Butler. "They are hungry for information regarding their arrival at their next duty station. A great NCO will develop, and mentor their troops, while knowing the standards or performance, understand them as a person, and not downplay importance of what it is we 'do'."

The instructors are not the only mentors for the students including Jenkins.

"The military training leaders' focus is definitely to make sure the Airmen are obedient to the rules and regulations, making sure that we are good Airmen," said Jenkins. "We can be good at our job but not good Airmen. The MTLs' focus is a lot more towards the Airmen themselves. The MTLs want to help us learn how the Air Force works and I think they do a really good job enforcing the standards we have and understanding why we have the standards we have."

Jenkins plans to take these leadership qualities to Ramstien Air Base, Germany, and beyond. Jenkins said he plans on making the Air Force a career, serving for at least 20 years.