MTIA: THE ORIGINAL MTIs

This is where the story of the USAF MTI begins....

	In September 1947, the Air Force became a separate service and 'Flight Marchers' were used to teach drill at three different bases: Sampson AFB, NY; Parks AFB, CA; and Lackland AFB, TX. These Flight Marchers were the first USAF Military Training Instructors. When originally designated as Instructors, the Air Force dropped the term 'Drill' from the title used by the Army and Marines, as the mission of the MTI would include more than just marching flights and teaching drill. We all benefit from the legacy of these veterans. They set the standard by which all future MTIs would be judged, they gave our profession the credibility it deserves.

ORIGINAL MTIs AT WORK PHOTOS

(Instructors who served after 1967 can be found on the Black Strap or Blue Rope pages)

(click on the button for the 1st letter of the last name of the Instructor you are looking for)

Below is a gathering of ORIGINAL MTI's at the
2006 MTIA Convention

(LtoR, back row) Bob Johnsen, Bill Hosen, Val Lipscomb, Johnnie Mansfield, Frank Hotz, .........,
(LtoR front row) .........., George Barrett, Chief Zuehl