FORWARD MARCH: military training unit marches to JB MDL

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Carolyn Z. Glover
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Members of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst might experience sights and sounds from training days gone by as they pass by formations of Airmen marching to and from the KC-10 Extender crew chief technical school here.

For the first time in McGuire's history, a military training unit has marked its presence on base. Complete with drills, inspections and, of course, the sounds of a military training leader, the 373rd Training Squadron, Military Training Flight, Detachment 1 has come to stay.

The KC-10 crew chief school officially stood up in 1998 as a 5-skill level training course. But this year, JB MDL saw its first year of phase-three trainees. These brand-new Airmen arrived on McGuire as a follow-on to a six-week initial training course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

Only nine students are currently enrolled in the course, but that does not change the mentality of Staff Sgt. Andre Jenkins, the joint base's only MTL.

"There is a challenge about being the only MTL here," he said. "But, I get the opportunity to make this program my own."

Sergeant Jenkins can be seen marching his trainees all over base - from the dining hall, to the dormitories, to the physical training field and back to their classroom in Building 2324.

"My role here is to ensure these Airmen are taken care of at all times, whether it be in their personal or professional lives," explained Sergeant Jenkins.

As the only military training unit on the base, the military stature of the airmen basic is put on obvious display. Sergeant Jenkins, a self-proclaimed stickler for pristine appearance and bearing, hopes this will keep the base community on their toes.

"People should certainly step up their military bearing," he said "My Airmen know they are setting the standard for this entire base."

While the young Airmen do take pride in their high standards, one admits it can be tough.
Airman Basic James Flynn, the training unit's Airman Leader, hails from the town of Beebe, Ark.

"It feels good that we have a higher standard," he explained. "It is tough. I'm not going to lie."

Although the Airmen occupy their own floor in the dormitory, they share common living spaces with permanent party Airmen who have already completed their technical training courses. During this phase of their training, they are not permitted to interact with any permanent party on base.

Despite obstacles and the aggressive training environment, Airman Flynn feels he and his fellow flight mates will continue to lean on each other as they push through the last weeks of their training. The group has been together since they arrived at Sheppard AFB after basic training.

The young Airmen have developed a close relationship throughout their time together. They "definitely" plan on keeping in touch once their training is complete, explained Airman Flynn.

The current class will be the third to graduate from Sergeant Jenkins's training program. The Airmen arrived Oct. 30 and are projected to graduate Dec. 18.

Airmen Flynn and his fellow flightmates are not just passing through McGuire. Members of the local community will inevitably encounter these Airmen over the next few years, whether it be in line at the commissary or working on the flight line - the majority of them have received orders to be stationed at McGuire.