FTAC instructor making a change from Aircraft to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandria Lee
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Freshly minted Airmen gleaming from tech school all hurry into their First Term Airman Class as they make their way to their seat and prepare themselves for their first lesson of the afternoon with Staff Sgt. Kyle Franklin, Team Mildenhall First Term Airman Center NCO-in-charge.

Franklin pulls up the days lessons and teaches the new Airmen the Virtual Air Force course, which discusses how to use the Air Force Portal.

“The FTAC classes have a lot of curriculum and I have to already know what they need to learn,” Franklin said.

All first-term Airmen have gone through FTAC and met a sergeant who is hard to forget. This sergeant is in charge of mentoring and grooming the newcomers by helping then assimilate into today's operational Air Force.

“I want to teach them the reality of the Air Force, and have a real world perspective of how the Air Force is,” Franklin said. “We are all people underneath the uniform and once you remember that it gets less intimidating.”

Franklin was chosen out of his career field as a 352nd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-130 Hercules flying crew chief, to have the opportunity to mentor future Airmen of the force.

“This is an amazing opportunity to step inside the other Air Force and learn how to better manage,” said Franklin. “There are so many details that have to be taken care of, so many moving parts.
“All of these Airmen come from different career fields and different backgrounds, I have to remember that everything I do is looked at through different eyes and different types of understanding. These Airmen hold me to a higher standard that I have to meet every day. ”

Flying crew chiefs are specially trained maintainers and frequently on the move. Franklin knows that all too well as, after returning from a month-long temporary duty assignment. Franklin transitioned to being the new FTAC NCO, shadowing his predecessor for a week before taking the reins with his new class.

“We turn wrenches for so long and live in a different world as crew chiefs,” Franklin said. “This is a huge change of pace, I’ve never sat at a desk this long. There are so many details that have to be taken care of, so many moving parts. This position has revitalized my drive to be a more effective leader.”

Franklin’s ability to handle pressure and his drive for excellence was one of the many reasons he stood out to Master Sgt. Curtis Brown, Career Assistance Advisor at RAF Mildenhall, who oversees leading of the newest generation of Team Mildenhall Airmen at the professional development center.

“I look for confidence and strong leadership traits,” Brown said. “Someone who is not afraid to hold the Airmen accountable and uphold the standards with outstanding organizational skills. Staff Sergeant Franklin was selected for his hunger and desire to do the job. And honestly, we want someone who is doing it for the right reasons.”

An FTAC instructor is not only in charge of the new Airmen, but also in charge of scheduling and logistics for the professional development center as well.

“Some of these Airmen I will work with in the future,” Franklin said. “I am the standard they see, I represent the Air Force standard of leadership and I don’t take that lightly. I want them to know I’m here for them.”