Unit removes time obstacle, student finishes course in 1 week

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Thirty-nine academic days. That’s how long it takes most Airman to complete the avionics fundamentals course in the 365th Training Squadron.

However, taking to heart the call of Air Education and Training Command Commander Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast that “time is no longer the constant,” the unit helped one student complete it in a week.

Admittedly, New Mexico Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Joshua Sandoval is not typical of most Airmen – but that is exactly the point.

A 31-year-old native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandoval earned an aviation maintenance technology degree from Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell and has spent that past five years working as director of maintenance for the New Mexico State Police. He said he is licensed in airframe and aircraft power plants, and he wanted to be trained in the avionics aspects of aircraft maintenance to round out his expertise.

He arrived at Sheppard AFB a few months ago to begin avionics training, electronic countermeasures, to be specific. Because of his advanced knowledge, he initially bypassed the fundamentals of avionics course. It was determined, however, that he still had to check off the box for the introductory course.

Extenuating circumstances and cooperation between Active and Guard leadership resulted in Sandoval being able to fast-track the 39-academic-day course and 82 mandatory objectives in less than a week.

“It’s a lot,” he said. “When everyone else gets to go on break, I don’t. I’m reading. I’m still studying. It’s information you have to retain for testing materials. It’s long days and a lot of dedication.”

Sandoval said he was still required to do the same regular activities as other Airmen in training, such as physical training and troop formations. But it was a relationship of trust between him and leadership that enabled him to accomplish such a big task in such as short amount of time.

His success, Sandoval said, also comes from the tremendous amount of support and understanding, which began with the unexpected decision to expedite his fundamentals of avionics training. That continued with the instructor cadre that worked with him during the process.

“We always say back home that the Air Force is just a big family,” he said. “This is showing me that’s exactly what this is. They’re willing to take care of their Airmen and do right by them and get them trained and active, productive Airmen.”

Master Sgt. Brion Kennedy, flight chief for the course, they have expedited the fundamentals course to some extent for cross-trainees from other career fields, but having a new Airman in training complete the course is rare and definitely a case-by-case situation. Sandoval’s hard work and dedication proved there could be a more efficient and cost-effective manner of getting Airmen through the course.

He said he can envision an online course that would enable Airmen in training to test out of some of the basic concepts until they reach a point that in-class instruction is needed for them to advance.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with someone, who has a certain knowledge level, testing through the blocks and not being penalized if they can’t pass,” he said. “But everything they can pass through their knowledge and moving them to the next (block), if they can pass the first three blocks, I don’t see making them sit through a class for no reason.”

Kennedy said that concept has been discussed, but he isn’t sure how close they are to making it come to fruition. He said the goal is to make the fundamentals course more student-centered with instructors providing assistance and hands-on training along the way.

Master Sgt. Brandon McCurdy, another flight chief and instructor supervisor for the course, said technical colleges throughout the country are using a modular classroom concept. He said the Air Force could see real gains through that model and sees a future for it in the service.

Kennedy concluded the online, modular-style concept is one that could also safe the Air Force money. He said it costs the Air Force about $250 daily per Airmen while they are in technical training.