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Scott AFB making FTAC changes

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Garcia
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Scott AFB's First Term Airmen's Course is designed to help Airmen help Airmen transition from a training environment to their first duty stations.

FTAC is a one week program, held bi-monthly, that consists of briefings from representatives around the base to provide Airmen with training, general U.S. Air Force knowledge, and information on the activities available on base and in the surrounding area. This also serves as the first forum for Airmen to network with other Airmen in different career fields.

"Arriving to your first duty station can be overwhelming," said Staff Sgt. Maurice Monroe, FTAC team leader.

"I have been trusted to make the correct first impression on the newest Airmen to Scott AFB. I serve as their mentor, providing direction and making sure Airmen know what resources are available to them and their families, if they are married."

First Term Airmen receive briefings on the warrior role in base support, standards and discipline, financial management, substance abuse, sexual assault prevention, legal services, and navigating the Air Force websites.

In addition, changes have been made following requests from Airmen who have previously completed the course.

"We have developed a course critique database to input the responses from all classes at the Enlisted Professional Enhancement Center," Monroe said. "This has given us real-time feedback on how students view briefers, topics taught, and where we can improve."

Because of this feedback, FTAC implemented a finance in-processing briefing to ensure every Airman going through FTAC has their finances taken care of as soon as possible.

Airman Davide Meili, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power production apprentice, said he found interacting with different on-base agencies helped him in-process to the base.

"FTAC gave me time to interact with civilians and Airmen across this base," Meili said. "I could ask questions about the Air Force and dedicate time to learning about leadership. The most beneficial quality I found was definitely the friends and connections I made there. My closest friends I have on base are from FTAC."

To conclude the week, the class participated in an informal graduation ceremony, where they received a certificate of completion. During this time, Monroe talked to them about the importance of having short-and-long-term goals.

"I want to make sure they understand they have a purpose throughout their day and something they are working towards," Monroe said.

"After the graduation they are released back to their respective squadrons, where I feel they will have first hand knowledge of the resources available to them, they won't be intimidated to ask their leadership for advice, and most importantly will strive to be military professionals."