F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Every Airman arriving at their first duty station fresh out of tech school is required to attend the First Term Airman Course.
FTAC is a five day course designed to help first term Airmen adjust from a training environment into an operational one, and give them a better idea of the expectations in the operational Air Force.
Headquarters Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services, the Air Force Personnel Center, and the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence, partnered to revitalize the FTAC, taking it from an in-processing focused program to a standard curriculum across the Air Force.
“We need to focus on developing the next generation of enlisted leaders,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright. “This starts in basic training, but has to be deliberate and continuous throughout an Airman’s career. These courses are the next step in the evolution of professional development for our enlisted force.”
The course was intended to transition Airmen from a training mind set to an operational one. However, most FTACs were focusing more on in-processing to the base. The new one week course will be a continuation of the training Airmen received in Basic Military Training and in technical training, building on the skills they have been introduced to.
Trust, loyalty and commitment, in-group behavioral psychology and team-building are a few of the topics that are covered during the course. Airmen are also reintroduced to the “What now, Airman?” scenarios they first learned about during Airmen’s Week at the end of BMT.
“For me personally, FTAC was incredibly helpful,” said Airman 1st Class Megan Melvin, 90th Communications Squadron, knowledge operations manager. “Not only was I able to access resources I was unaware the Air Force offered, I also had the advantage of speaking with representatives of those resources.”
Throughout the week, briefers from many places such as substance abuse and prevention, personal financial management, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Staff Judge Advocates Office gave Airmen information they may not have realized they needed. Though some of the information can be dry it is really good information to have.
“FTAC may not be helpful to everyone, but it helped me out by showing me certain subjects I had no clue about,” said Airman Xiomara Martinez, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Photojournalist, Misawa Air Base, Japan. “I didn't even know how to read my own paycheck or where certain things were on the Air Force Portal. They even showed us how to get rich by the time I’m an oldie with the Thrift Savings Plan.”
FTAC is led by the base Career Assistance Advisor, this is a valuable person to know for retraining opportunities or even the need for job counseling
“I hope that Air Force leadership starts to really see the benefits of the FTAC program,” said Staff Sgt. Shawanna Matchett, the NCO in charge of FTAC. “What we are doing here really is making a difference in the Airmen that come through.”