CMSAF #6 MCCOY'S
MTI EXPERIENCE
...IN HIS OWN WORDS

Because of the severe shortage of MTI's, I was selected for MTI duty as a non-volunteer. While I was not a volunteer, as with any assignment, I took it as a challenge and an opportunity to enhance my Air Force career. Shortly after my arrival to Lackland in July 1956, I was assigned to the 3723 BMTS. I attended an Academic Instructors course and received my street training, as we called it in those days, right in the Squadron. Incidentally, we didn't wear the campaign hats in those days. Instead, we wore painted helmet liners. Since I was a TSgt, after I completed all my training, I was made an Area Supervisor. In this position, I supervised five flights along with 12-15 TI's. As it has always been, the hours were long, hard, and challenging, but graduating airmen ready to serve our Country made it all worthwhile!

I found my experiences as an MTI to be most beneficial in the years to come. When I left Lackland in October 1957 for an assignment to the Philippines, I used what I had learned and established probably the first Base Honor Guard there. We performed in numerous functions all across the base. At the time, I wasn't sure about making the Air Force a career. I had less than seven years of service and I wanted to finish my education. I had left college during the Korean War, having completed two and one-half years. Eventually I did get my bachelor's degree while stationed at Barksdale in 1966 from Centenary College of Louisiana. Anyway, I decided to remain in the Air Force thanks to a couple of MSgt's (before the E-8/E-9's came out) who convinced me I should reenlist.

I was next assigned to AFROTC at the University of Notre Dame where I was Assistant to the Commandant of Cadets. In this position I was responsible for teaching drill and ceremonies to the young cadets. During my short stay at Notre Dame, I helped plan and execute the Honors ceremony for then President Eisenhower when he came to the campus to deliver the Commencement address in 1960.

During my future assignments as an instructor both at the old SAC NCO Preparatory Schools at Bunker Hill (later renamed Grissom) AFB, Indiana, and the SAC 2 AF NCO Academy at Barksdale, I had to once again rely not only on my training in drill and ceremonies, but in the classroom as well. Interesting bit of trivia, CMSAF Bob Gaylor was one of my students at the SAC 2 AF NCO Academy at Barksdale in 1965 and I brag to folks that I taught him everything he knows.

So all in all I enjoyed my short time at Lackland and the experience was very beneficial to me throughout the remainder of my career. To this day, I still shine my shoes, keep my hair cut short, and get very upset with folks that wear their hats indoors. I credit this to my basic training background as well.

CMSAF Jim McCoy (79-81)

26 Aug 02