FTAC class sees more than just a classroom

  • Published
  • By Airman Sondra Wieseler
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  For many Airmen new to the Air Force, change can be a scary thing, although for some, it might be thrilling. Either way it's viewed, change is an inevitable part of being an Airman.

In order to help combat stress that some Airmen may feel from the change, all Air Force bases in the Air Combat Command have developed First Term Airman Centers to help transition first-term Airmen from life in technical school, a systematic and controlled environment, to their first duty station.

The 49th Mission Support Squadron here holds a three-week FTAC program for all first term Airmen arriving on base.

The program consists of one detail week of cleaning up around base with the remaining two weeks being used for mandatory briefings and in-processing.

The most popular part of the FTAC program according to the Airmen is a relaxing day in civilian clothing better-known as Service's Day.

"Service's Day is an opportunity for our students to see what Holloman Air Force Base has to offer," said Staff Sgt. Keely Masak, 49th Aeromedical Dental Squadron and the team leader of FTAC. "It shows them what there is to do to get them out of their dorm rooms."

The day begins bright and early at 7 a.m. with the students meeting in the FTAC building where Ms. Wilie Luzano, the Airman's programs and special event coordinator from the 49th Services Squadron, and Sergeant Masak, proceed to take the students to many different facilities on base.

The first stop is the Apache Mesa Golf Course where Airmen can buy breakfast and later enjoy themselves on the driving range with a free bucket of golf balls. Other activities Airmen can participate in on Service's Day, free of charge, include paintball at the Apache Range, bowling at the Bowling Center and rock-wall climbing at the Outdoor Recreation Center.

They also visit such places as the Auto Hobby Shop, J.R. Rockers, the Aero Club, Honor Guard (Heritage Center), Ahrens Memorial Library, Arts and Crafts Center and the Community Activities Center where Oasis Pizza generously provides the whole class with pizza and soda for lunch.

"There are actually a lot of things to do here," said Airman 1st Class Leah Weh, 49th Security Forces Squadron, an FTAC student who claims she was proven wrong about her premonition that there'd be nothing to do at Holloman. "I'll definitely go to J.R. Rockers again and I love golf so I'll go the golf course too."

The 49th Services Squadron at Holloman AFB prides itself on keeping Airman happy and taking care of its people, said Ms. Luzano. They will do whatever is necessary to keep morale high.

"Whatever it is you like doing, services squadron has the ability to get you there, probably fairly cheap, if not free," said Master Sgt. Paul Sanchez, the Steel Talon Honor Guard non-commissioned officer in-charge, to the Airmen before his briefing on the base honor guard.

However, Service's Day wasn't always a part of the curriculum.

Service's Day began when a flight chief noticed that Airmen had no clue what was going on or what there was to do on base, said Ms. Luzano. Services were not being utilized because nobody knew about them. The flight chief took the initiative to contact different facility managers and brought up the idea of taking Airmen around to show them what there was to do. Eventually, the idea made it up to headquarters and it became what is now known as Service's Day. Today, it is utilized all throughout ACC.

"I believe in Services a lot," said Ms. Luzano, who is in charge of scheduling the activities and events for the day. "When I see [Airmen] start waking up to it, it juices my heart. It's one of the things I love about my job."

Ms. Luzano has been in charge of Service's Day for years. She takes a lot of pride in her job and uses a unique approach with the Airmen on Service's Day while she escorts them from place to place. She calls it 'life lessons.'

"I like to throw in those life lessons because I want them to open up and see there's so many different cultures and lifestyles in the military that get thrown together," said Ms. Luzano. "A lot of us are guilty of stereotyping."

"It's a lot like stereotyping Holloman AFB or Alamogordo," she added. "You may hear there is nothing to do but you have to open your eyes and see what's in front of you, because you're going to miss out on so much if you don't."

Whether it's the knowledge gained by checking out different services offered on base, the many life lessons learned, or the simple joy of shooting fellow classmates with paintballs, Airmen tend to agree that Service's Day should be here to stay.

"When we ask students their favorite thing on our critique, 90 percent of them tell us Service's Day is the best part of FTAC," said Master Sgt. Robin Pfeifle, 49th Fighter Wing career advisor.

"I try to emphasize with the Airmen that these are your facilities," said Ms. Luzano with a smile. "Look around at what's there for you. You'll be amazed."