New FTAC instructor selected

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  One of the 354th Fighter Wing's finest non-commissioned officers was selected to become the base's First Term Airmen's Center instructor, a position recently revised to increase stability in the program.

For the past few years temporary FTAC instructors have rotated in three-month assignments to fill this position. These NCO's have prepared FTAC Airmen for an assignment at Eielson Air Force Base but each NCOs' methods provided different levels of experience and instruction.

Staff Sgt. Amber Volpi, a logistics readiness fuel technician, was selected to be Eielson's first instructor to fill the position full-time for two years. While she considered several extra duties, including being a military training leader or a recruiter, she couldn't resist the opportunity presented to her with the position at FTAC.

"It can be like culture shock if you're getting here in the middle of winter. We just try to ease the transition of being new to the base and to the Air Force," said Sergeant Volpi. "Airmen are here for three or four years. They need to know where their resources are, where they can get help, and know their way around."

When new Airmen arrive at their first base they are faced with a lot of new things and it can be hard to get settled. FTAC allows students to meet with other Airmen who are at the same stages in their careers and who may be facing the same obstacles.

FTAC consists of a series of briefings from base agencies, guidance from instructors, and interaction with fellow Airmen. New active duty Airmen attending FTAC will receive two weeks of instruction on Eielson, the local area, and the operational Air Force. Upon completion of FTAC, Airmen are more familiar with the base and the amenities available to them.

"We're trying to make sure their transition here to Eielson -- from the training environment they're used to, to the mission oriented environment -- is as smooth as possible so they feel that this is their home," said Sergeant Volpi.

The program is an important stepping stone into the operational Air Force and an Airman's future military career. Choosing an instructor to mentor Airmen was no easy task; applicants submitted packages and underwent a thorough interview with leadership.

"We want to make sure that whoever sits in that seat will do the best job for these Airmen when they come to Alaska," said Master Sgt. Stanley Harper, 354th Fighter Wing career assistance advisor. "This is a hard assignment for first term Airmen, we've got to make sure we get these Airmen started correctly, and to understand the importance of doing things a certain way so they don't fall into certain traps."

"Sergeant Volpi has a lot of the stuff we want in an instructor as far as attitude, motivation, and skills," he added.

FTAC instructors also talk to Airmen about a variety of topics including career progression, current events, investing, local area attractions, and good places to eat.
Sergeant Volpi is eager to answer questions and give advice to Eielson's newest Airmen. She is honored by her selection and plans to provide the best professional guidance and counseling to FTAC Airmen as they transition into key members supporting the wing's mission to prepare, deploy, and enable.