Sheppard phases in new phase program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard Airmen in training are finding themselves with more freedom and responsibility as Air Education and Training Command phases in its new phase program.

The new program, which took effect after the Airmen returned from holiday exodus, is scheduled to be fully functional across Sheppard on Jan 12.

"We want the Airmen to experience what they'll experience at their first duty station and see if they can handle it," said Senior Master Sgt. Terry Neuharth, superintendent of wing military training for the 82nd Training Wing.

The old program consisted of four phases gradually rewarding Airmen with more and more privileges as training progressed. The new version gives nearly the same ones, but at a much faster pace.

"In basic you're all almost one person," said Airman 1st Class Lindsey Simpson, an F-16 crew chief-in-training with the 362nd Training Squadron. "This kind of gives you the freedom of individuality. It makes it feel more comfortable and more like home."

For instance, where it took Airmen 91 days to achieve the pinnacle of freedom, that long sought out phase four, they now enter their final phase a mere 36 days after beginning training at Sheppard.

"Basically we took the old phase two out and moved everything to the left," Sergeant Neuharth said. "It gets them to the old phase four sooner."

Some of these more expedited privileges include being able to wear civilian clothes in the student dormitories during phase one, and being able to operate a personally operated vehicle in phase two.

The changes are already having there desired effect.Airmen are pleased with the greater faith the Air Force is showing them and their ability to make responsible choices. Even some individuals who were in phase four said that while they feel almost as if they were "phased back," it's a good change all around.

"The morale around the squadrons has gotten so much better. We all feel more like adults," said Airman 1st Class Aimee Zalenski, also an F-16 crew chief-in-training with the 362nd TRS. "(Around) the squadron, everyone's getting closer."

Airman Zalenski said the greater range of privileges has allowed people who wouldn't normally interact with each other socially, to do so.

Extended curfews and previously unheard of privileges aren't to be taken lightly though, Airmen can still be "phased back" in response to questionable behavior.

"We're getting them into a more responsible roll sooner," Sergeant. Neuharth said. "They just need to know they're going to be held accountable for their actions."