AETC says “MTL’s, instructors need to be proactive with assignments”

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In February, Air Education and Training Command rolled out a new instructor and military training leader assignment tour system. Due to the complication of such a transition process, many Team Sheppard members were left bewildered by their options.

Fortunately for instructors and MTL's on Sheppard, Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, 82nd Training Wing commander, asked AETC to send a representative to help explain the process. AETC answered his call by dispatching Tony Taylor, chief of enlisted development with AETC/A1, to give briefings on the new assignment process.

"There was a lot of confusion out there about how this worked," said Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence Brown, 82nd Training Group chief enlisted manager. "I think for those people who attended the briefing it helped with the confusion."

Briefings were held on July 9 and 10 at the base theater and were open to all instructors and MTL's wanting more information on the new process.

"It was a very informative briefing and the code 43 assignment process was very well explained," said Tech Sgt. Robin Meaux, an instructor supervisor for the F-16 aircraft maintenance apprentice course.

The new process replaces the code 50, which was the most recent change to the instructor/MTL assignment tour system.

Code 50's were introduced in 2002 to replace an even older system which led to instructors and MTL's being on station for an average of seven years. A code 50 attached to a servicemember's record made them a mandatory mover in the assignment process, which while eliminating the seven year average, gave personnel almost no chance to compete for assignments. The code 43, on the other hand, now gives personnel a four-year minimum tour and the ability to compete for an assignment over numerous selection cycles.

According to Mr. Taylor, AETC wanted to give their personnel the chance to have a hand in their assignment selection. Currently, instructor and MTL special assignments have a 92 percent volunteer rate and AETC wanted to prevent the loss of the volunteers due to assignment difficulties.

The new system does keep the code 50's around though, as a back up option. Gen. William Looney III, AETC commander, said he wanted instructors and MTL's to not stay at their current assignment more than five years. To help facilitate this, the Fresh Expertise program was put into effect.

Fresh Expertise is an option given to commanders that allows them to apply a code 50 to personnel who, for one reason or another, have not sought out a new assignment. The Fresh Expertise element can be applied any time after the servicemember's four-year on-station mark. Certain exceptions are allowed to the maximum of five years, but must be tied to the mission and require wing commander approval, numbered Air Force endorsement and AETC vice commander approval.

"It's in your best interest to find (an assignment) before being placed on Fresh Expertise," said Mr. Taylor.

Tech Sgt. Heather Adkins, an advanced munitions instructor with the 363rd Training Squadron, said the message she got from the briefings was "be proactive."

"Don't just sit around and wait," she said. "You need to get out there and (look for and apply for) an assignment. If you want any choice in where you're going, you have to get involved."

Chief Brown recommended that personnel begin looking for an assignment nine months before their four-year mark, to stay ahead of the Air Force Personnel Center and be actively involved.

For more information on code 43's, code 50's and Fresh Expertise, please call the military personnel flight at 676-2225.