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FTAC program acclimates Airmen to Shaw

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Ingold
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
In-processing, finding the shop, moving into a dorm room or finding a house and attending the First Term Airman’s Course. New Airmen hit the ground running.

First term Airmen at Shaw attended the monthly, week-long course, put on by the 20th Force Support Squadron, at the McElveen Information and Learning Center to learn about the base and the programs it offers.

“We need to transition Airmen from a training-oriented mindset to a mission-oriented one,” said Senior Master Sgt. Brandy Hill, 20th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor. “We need to give you the skills and the tools you need to be successful as Airmen.”

Organizations across Shaw send representatives to brief Airmen on the services they provide. The 20th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and Chapel are some of these organizations getting their information to first term Airmen so they are aware of their services in a time of need.

Airmen are also taught interpersonal skills, as well as other relevant life skills, such as budgeting and communication, in order to succeed in their day-to-day work.

“We learned basic financial and people skills,” said Airman 1st Class Jeffery Boss, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels apprentice. “We learned people skills that have already helped me in my life.”

Going from civilian life, to basic training, tech school and finally arriving at an operational Air Force base can be a rough transition for some Airmen. The FTAC program is designed to arm these Airmen with the tools needed to be successful as an operational Airmen at Shaw.