Air Force looks at Edwards for more MTIs, recruiters

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Education and Training Command Special-Duty Assignment Team arrived at Edwards April 8 to showcase the mission and benefits of special-duty assignments as well as encourage Airmen to apply. 

With the increasing demand for more recruiters, as well as basic military training instructors, the team has been going from one base to another to fill the needed slots. The team is also seeking military training leaders, professional military course and technical training instructors. 

"We are recruiting for the major special duties," said Master Sgt. Chip Coleman, command military training instructor with 2nd Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. "We are spreading the message of what special duties have to offer Airmen." 

This year, the Air Force needs approximately 500 recruiters, 205 technical school instructors in various career fields, and about 200 military training instructors. 

The Air Force's needs for more Airmen triggered a domino effect to hire more recruiters and military training instructors as well as other special-duty assignments. More recruiters are needed to sign up new recruits, while more MTIs have to train these recruits. 

"From an MTI's perspective, our career field is in critical manning right now," Sergeant Coleman said. "We are at 65 percent. With the new 8.5 weeks of basic military training, that boosted our numbers tremendously. We need more military training instructors." 

In general, senior airmen with at least 35 months time in service through master sergeant with less than 16 years total active federal military service are eligible to apply. However, each special duty has specific requirements. 

"We just want to get the information out there that we are looking for bright individuals who are the best the Air Force has to offer," said Master Sgt. Craig Ploessl, superintendent of the Air Force Recruiter Screening Team. "It is a great avenue to let the people know about the benefits of special duties. We make sure the people are knowledgeable of what's going to happen. We let them know the pros and cons of the jobs." 

Airmen should try to apply to become military training instructors, recruiters or military training leaders, Sergeant Ploessl said. 

"It is a great way to give back to the Air Force and do something different," he said. 

For more information, call Sergeant Ploessl at (210)565-0584 or Sergeant Coleman at (228)377-1326.