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Top Tech highlights wing’s top instructors

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly Mansfield
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Twenty-two 81st Training Group instructors participated in the 2015 Top Tech competition April 9.

Competitors were chosen by their respective squadrons by being outstanding performers in the officer, senior enlisted, junior enlisted and civilian categories.

The 334th Training Squadron was named the winning team. Overall winners were named in each category, along with technology application award winners.

"The instructors are evaluated during their 50-minute briefing based off of the instructor evaluation checklist," explained George Holbert, 81st Training Support Squadron basic instructor course instructor supervisor. "Each category was evaluated by a panel of three judges."

During each briefing, participants performed a briefing using slides, visual demonstrations, graphics and videos to teach audience members about their career field. In addition, military training leaders performed drill, executing multiple facing movements and open ranks to accompany their portion of the competition.

"I briefed the audience members on how to be a promotable Airman, the importance of an enlisted performance report, how to be promoted below the zone and the Air Force core values," said Staff Sgt. John Anny, an MTL from the 338th TRS.

During the months leading up to the competition, participants were able to master different techniques to put them above the rest of the field.

"All of the members of my team got together in the weeks leading up to the competition to practice introductions, drill movements and tips for giving the best briefing," said Anny. "I learned certain movements that MTLs might not know, like putting your back to the individuals that you are briefing. It was nice to learn these little tips and pointers."

Participants in the competition not only got to show the skills of being an effective instructor, but also shared their experiences in the Air Force to those attending their briefings.

"One of the things I liked most about the competition was talking to the Airmen," said Anny. "I got to teach them these topics by using my success and failures as guides for them to learn by. I missed my BTZ window when I was an Airman. Now I get to show them how to be successful by learning from my mistakes."

Keesler Top Tech 2015 winners:

Military Training Leader category:
1st Place - Staff Sgt. L.C. Fowler, 336th TRS
2nd Place - Staff Sgt. Ezekiel Pettway, 334th TRS

Officer Instructor category:
1st Place - 1st Lt. Gregory Birdsong, 334th TRS
2nd Place - Capt. Santiago Camacho, 335th TRS
Officer Technology Application Award - 1st Lt. Gregory Birdsong, 334th TRS

Senior Enlisted Instructor category:
1st Place - Tech. Sgt. Quintin Echols, 334th TRS
2nd Place - Tech. Sgt. Matthew Chroniger, 338th TRS
Senior Enlisted Technology Application Award - Tech. Sgt. Matthew Chroniger, 338th TRS

Junior Enlisted Instructor category:
1st Place - Staff Sgt. Garrett Lethco, 335th TRS
2nd Place - Staff Sgt. Mindy Ford, 334th TRS
Junior Enlisted Technology Application Award - Staff Sgt. Garrett Lethco, 335th TRS

Civilian Instructor category:
1st Place - Troy Kirkbride, 334th TRS
2nd Place - Pahl Moore, 335th TRS
Civilian Technology Application Award - Troy Kirkbride, 334th TRS
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