Honoring MTLs in the Enlisted Heritage Hall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Spencer Tobler
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

A ceremony took place to dedicate a wall inside of the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall highlighting military training leaders Oct. 30, 2019 in Gunter Annex at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.

"This event was held to commemorate the lineage and heritage that the MTLs have with the U.S. Air Force," said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Reed, Second Air Force military training instructor and military training leader career field manager. "It seemed only appropriate to add them to the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall to denote what these individuals have done for the past 40 years."

Military training instructors lay the foundation of what it is to be an Airman in basic military training. It is the MTL's job to build upon that foundation after an Airman enters technical training.

"They make sure the Airmen are successful in honing the skills they were taught at basic training and adding to those skill sets, so they are successful in the operational Air Force," said Reed. "The MTLs are vital to helping Airmen make that transition."

The extent of what it means to be an MTL goes beyond mentorship face-to-face interaction with Airmen in training.  

"People may have an idea of what an MTL does, but that's based off their experience when they went through tech training," said Senior Master Sgt. Sean Brasier, Second Air Force command military training superintendent. "The military training leader is always evolving. This is just as much about education as it is making sure that the MTL mark is made." 

The military training leader is a demanding position, these individuals essentially have to act as first line supervisors, first sergeants, parental figures, financial consultants, and landlords to brand new Airmen. Though it's a demanding position, MTLs know they have to complete their mission because the future of the Air Force is partly dictated by what they do.

"It's a daunting task, but the Airmen inspire me to come back every day and do my job right," said Brasier.

The MTL wall is now on display for all visitors of the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall to see.

"It's amazing to have the career field recognized here for what the MTL men and women do for our Airmen," said Reed. "They are now alongside some of the heroes of our enlisted walk of fame, medal of honor recipients, and the Chief Master Sgts of the Air Force. To have our core non-commissioned and senior non-commissioned officers displayed alongside those heroes is very humbling."