JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - Airmen across the Air National Guard have many opportunities to serve in developmental roles and serving at the United States Air Force Academy as an Academy Military Trainer is just one of the roles.
Air Force Master Sgt. Donald Steven Sanders, 134th Air Refueling Wing, located at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, will become the first Air National Guard member to serve as an AMT at USAFA as he looks forward to his latest career change.
"I'm very excited about it," said Sanders, who will be leaving his current position as a repair and reclamation craftsman after 16 years to be an instructor at the academy. Airmen in the Air National Guard can serve in many non-traditional roles, and teaching at the USAFA is just another example of these opportunities.
Sanders, who has over 23 years of service, says he is anxious in a good way and looking forward to the opportunity.
It's is a great honor to be selected for this position, he said, indicating he will be starting sometime early this summer.
Being an AMT not only benefits the Guard but can allow for personal development as well.
"I need to get out there and grow a little bit more," said Sanders. "I need to expand my horizon, rather than just working on aircraft."
The change from repairing Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers aircraft to the classroom comes as no surprise to others.
Air Force Col. Burl Lambert, 134th Maintenance Group commander, said that he is certainly happy for Sanders to have the opportunity, noting that they worked together for nine years.
"We're sad to see him go be because we've depended on his experience and his expertise," said Lambert. "Losing that is losing a lot. We're certainly happy for him to have this opportunity and he'll represent us well. I think it's a great thing for the Guard and I think it's a great thing for the Air Force Academy."
Opportunities like this are offered to Air Guard members under a program called Developmental Special Duties. DSDs are positions within the U.S. Air Force designed to create and progress Airmen through the leadership of other Airmen and place the most qualified Airmen in several key roles which have an impact on Airmen across the service.
"DSD allow Airmen to challenge themselves and gain unique experiences as leaders, managers and communicators," said Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard. "Air National Guard Airmen in any status (drill status, Air Guard Reserve or technician) should look for opportunities outside of their technical specialty at critical points in their career."
Airmen who perform DSDs are more likely to develop intangible skills and become a well-rounded Airman.
"DSDs are positions that are critical to the development of Airmen," said Hotaling. "Additionally, these positions allow members to take on a new challenge outside of the technical specialty."
DSD positions are available at both state and extended active-duty levels and can include the following jobs:
- Academy Military Trainer
- Professional Military Education Instructors
- First Sergeants
- Military Training Instructors
- Military Training Leaders
- Recruiters
- Specialty Training Instructors identified with a T-prefix
The influence that Airmen have filling these positions can be critical to all three Air Force components - Guard, reserve and active.
"DSD positions impact Airmen at every level," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, regarding DSD. "We must ensure the right Airmen are in these special positions."
Air Guard members are encouraged to apply for DSD positions and vacancies can be found at http://www.ang.af.mil/careers/dsdva/index.asp.