New reservists learn basics before basic training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan White
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Many Reserve Airmen entering basic military training no longer have to worry about fear of the unknown.

The newly formed development and training flight fills the gap between the time new Airmen enlist and the time they ship off to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, for basic training - a period which often lasts many months. Filling this time gap provides benefits to new Airmen and to the Air Force.

Instead of waiting around for months and losing the enthusiasm and momentum that came with the decision to enlist, new Airmen who attend the development and training flight on training weekends can get paid to train and learn.

The Air Force benefits by having Airmen who have been prepped to succeed in basic training.

Those who participate in the development and training flight are taught Air Force history, customs and courtesies, core values and rank structure. They also engage in physical training.

"We try to make the transition from civilian life to military life a little less drastic," said Tech. Sgt. Timothy Mullin, an instructor with the flight.

Mullin said he expects his students to have an advantage in the early stages of their Air Force careers.

"I wish this program existed when I was a new Airman," he said. "I had no idea how to tell the difference between enlisted and officer. It was all brand new to me."

Mullin is joined by four other instructors who come from various units across the 514th Air Mobility Wing. Each of the five instructors can offer their experience as noncommissioned officers who have gone through basic training, but their ace in the hole is the flight's program manager, Master Sgt. Joe Gentile, who previously served as an Air Force basic training instructor.

Gentile works closely with recruiters and the flight's instructors to maintain the effectiveness of the program. He said that in the past, too many Reserve Airmen were being sent home from basic training due to academic failure, disciplinary issues or medical issues. To counter this trend, Air Force Reserve Command started development and training flights at six test locations and saw immediate results. The 514th Air Mobility
Wing started its flight in April, and Gentile said feedback has been positive from both trainees and established members of the wing.

Besides the formal training the trainees receive, Mullin said the opportunity to network with noncommissioned officers and fellow new Airmen is invaluable.

"The only person I had ever met from the Air Force prior to leaving for basic training was my recruiter," he said. "It also would have been nice to meet other people who were reporting to boot camp with me."

Gentile said he welcomes senior leaders such as commanders, chief master sergeants and first sergeants to visit the flight to observe or to address the trainees as well as to join them for physical training.

He also said the trainees could benefit from the advice of Airmen who are freshly graduated from basic training.