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Top Tech returns

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  • By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
  • 81 TRW/PA
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Faculty Development Flight, 81st Training Support Squadron, hosted the Keesler Top Tech competition to test instructors from the 81st Training Group Feb. 28.

Each of the five training squadrons sent members to compete in officer, senior enlisted, junior enlisted and civilian instructor categories, as well as a military training leader category. The competition was designed to measure how well instructors and MTLs perform and promote the highest standards of instruction and leadership.

Instructors gave presentations to a small group of students and a panel of three judges. They were graded on content as well as technical delivery and class response using a modified instructor evaluation checklist.

"You put me in a group of people and I can teach anything," said Michael W. Clark, 333rd Training Squadron instructor of the year. "But, there are finicky rules to classroom instruction like erasing the board up and down rather than back and forth. The students won't even notice the difference, but the judges know."

Top Tech was a command-wide event for Air Education and Training Command bases, but ceased in 2003 due to budget cuts.

Keesler brought it to a local level this year via the event organizer, Stanley Hall, 338th Training Squadron, who won second place for Keesler in 1996 and coached the Keesler teams to victory in the AETC-wide competitions in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The trials and standards of the competition remain the same as previous years, said Hall.

The MTL category differs from the other categories with a drill evaluation following the classroom presentations. The MTLs march and conduct open ranks with a flight of 25 students.

"It's a tough crowd," said Staff Sgt. Jovanni I. Owens, an MTL at the 336th TRS, "But, it's a very good experience."

After weeks of preparation, the competition culminated at the award ceremony at the  Welch Theater with wing leadership in attendance and every training squadron represented, complete with mascots and banners.

The theater erupted at the end of the ceremony as the 334th TRS was named overall winner of the 2013 Keesler Top Tech competition.

Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81 Training Wing commander, presented the awards to all contestants and ended the ceremony with a short speech about the importance of Top Tech, and the perpetual need for the enhancement of Air Force training.

"The Airmen down range depend on what they learn from you," said Spacy. "Keeping instruction exciting and well-taught using current and new techniques is hard work. All of you do it so well, I appreciate it."

Keesler Top Tech 2013 winners:

Military Training Leader:
1st Place - Tech. Sgt. Jared M. Whitcomb, 338 TRS
2nd Place - Tech. Sgt. Jovanni I. Owens, 336 TRS

Junior Enlisted Instructor:
1st Place - Staff Sgt. Charleda S. Dedeaux, 334 TRS
2nd Place - Staff Sgt. Gregory D. Buford, Jr., 338 TRS
Technology Application Award - Staff Sgt. Gregory D. Buford, Jr., 338 TRS

Senior Enlisted Instructor:
1st Place - Tech. Sgt. Debbie N. Jackson, 334 TRS
2nd Place - Tech. Sgt. Joshua C. Faulkner, 336 TRS
Technology Application Award - Tech. Sgt. Joshua C. Faulkner, 336 TRS

Officer Instructor:
1st Place - 1st Lt. Gary J. Brooks, 335 TRS
2nd Place - Capt. Jonathan G. Ketchum, 333 TRS
Technology Application Award -1st Lt. Gary J. Brooks, 335 TRS

Civilian Instructor:
1st Place - Benjamin M. Smith, 336 TRS
2nd Place - Kenneth L. Poore, 334 TRS
Technology Application Award - Benjamin M. Smith, 336 TRS
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