AFMC Command News

New program expedites technical training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Seth Haddix
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) -- During these times of uncertainty and instability, training new Airmen remains necessary to accomplish the Air Force mission. The 81st Training Wing here is aiming to produce Airmen faster and more efficiently with the new Direct to Duty Technical Training program.

This program would send Airmen to their duty station after basic military training graduation instead of to a technical training school.  Technical training instructors would conduct virtual training, grading and tracking Airmen from afar at the technical school location.

Second Air Force administered a trial run for four randomly selected Airmen in the knowledge management career field at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, instead of sending them to Keesler AFB.

Senior Master Sgt. Keith Clay, 336th Training Squadron superintendent, believes this program is an opportunity for more progressive training.

“The faster we can train Airmen; the faster we can support the Air Force mission,” Clay said. “The purpose of this program is to not only train Airmen quicker, but more efficiently.”

The trial run resulted in the Airmen completing their training successfully. Among the trainees was Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Coulter, 17th Communications Squadron knowledge manager.

“The self-paced training has allowed me to develop into a better knowledge manager,” Coulter said. “I have built my skills on experience and hands-on learning.”

Staff Sgt. Rafael Daniel, 17th Communications Squadron Knowledge Management Center noncommissioned officer in charge and Coulter’s supervisor, describes the impact of this structure on the knowledge managers and his Airmen.

“D2T2 paves a better pathway for our Airmen,” Daniel said. “The process integrates them into our mission priorities and progresses them quicker. Going straight to their duty location eliminates the need for technical training at a technical school and also saves money for the Air Force that can be used to better a different aspect of training.”
Following the success of the program test, Clay is hoping this process will expand training for the Air Force and create a new direction.

“The program is still being developed, but the initial trial was very successful,” Clay said. “This can set a pathway for the future of Air Force training. Creating a faster, better and cost-efficient training process can produce exceptional Airmen across the Air Force.”