KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The First Term Enlisted Course (FTEC) is designed to help new Airmen and Guardians arriving at their first duty station to learn about their base, resources and opportunities available to them.
Kirtland’s FTEC team has completed its second iteration of its new two-week course, aimed at providing a better introduction to the operational Air Force, along with opportunities for one-on-one time with instructors.
“The goal of changing FTEC to two weeks was to reinforce standards,” said Master Sgt. Craig Dillon, 377th Force Support Squadron development advisor. “It gives a better holistic picture of everything in the Air Force.”
Dillon serves as the Force Development Cetner's non-commissioned officer in charge. He works with other agencies like the Barnes Center for Enlisted Education and bases such as Goodfellow Air Force Base to help develop and bring back ideas and techniques to improve FTEC.
The two-week course was developed over a three-month period, starting back in October, and fully implemented in January by Staff Sgt. Kevin Mangoagui, the 377th Force Support Squadron FTEC Lead.
“How do we make this information stick and do it for the betterment of the new Airmen, since they have to be built back up,” said Mangoagui. “The first week’s goal was to give information on multiple agencies, while the second week gave students time to come up with new questions to ask.”
The new course was designed in collaboration with senior leadership, including Col. Justin Secrest, 377th Air Base Wing & Installation Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Rapsavage, 377th Air Base Wing Command Chief.
“My voice was creative, which I liked because it was the complete opposite of what I thought I was in the beginning,” said Airman Landon Walker, 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron ground transportation. “FTEC helped develop my communication skills with other people further than before.”
Instructor time was a valuable tool for new Airmen, usually led by Tech. Sgt. John Peffer, 377th Force Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge.
One of the most valuable briefings was the five voices led by Staff Sgt. Sean Alexander, 377th Force Support Squadron foundations operations lead. The five voices were modeled after the Myers-Briggs personality test. The voices consisted of nurturer, creative, guardian, connector, and pioneer. Each Airmen or Guardian would pick the voice they related to most based on the attributes associated with each option.
FTEC continues to bridge the transition for first-term enlisted Airmen and Guardians from their technical school to their first duty station. As such, many Airmen are coming out of the course feeling more prepared, motivated, and knowledgeable about their base and role in the Air Force.