MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. - When I graduated technical school, all I knew was that I was joining the operational Air Force. What I didn’t know was that I would take part in a class that would help me understand my new base and how I fit into it.
The First Term Airman Center class is designed to help new airmen transition into the operational lifestyle with minimal issues. It also teaches them things about their base that can be beneficial for the rest of their careers.
One of the biggest advantages to FTAC is to help new airmen build a network they can use outside of their work centers, which is an integral part of my job in public affairs.
One of the first things we learned in the class was each student’s job and background, which helped give me a better understanding of the level of diversity in the Air Force.
In my class alone, there were people from Hawaii, Haiti and even Cuba; people who worked on anything from sheet metal to jet propulsion to electronics; all of these people joined the Air Force for their own unique reasons.
My favorite part of FTAC was without a doubt the physical training.
The PT was both exciting and fun at the same time. We performed PT five out of the eight days of class.
From a dodgeball game mixed in with push-ups and sit-ups to the cross-fit session we did, nothing had challenged me like that since Basic Military Training.
I thought FTAC was a great way to integrate into my new base and learn more about its functions. I really am excited to finally go out and be part of the operational Air Force!