During my business dealings with the MTIA, I came across a gentleman that paid our association a compliment as listed below. When he told me about his brother, I was both sad and proud. Below there is a link to the last letter his brother had written home before paying the ultimate price for our freedom. (Web Master)

My brother would have enjoyed looking at your site. He passed away on June 12, 2002 in Afghanistan. He was a loadmaster on a MC-130 Talon, TSgt Sean M. Corlew. He was 3 years from retiring. - TSgt Sean Corlew's letter home

Shauna L. Wade passed away in the summer of 2005

I met her when she was a rookie instructor at the 43rd Sq. I was her trainer and friend. We became instructors at a turbulent time. We saw many of our squadrons close down. We went from the 43rd to the 08th to the 07 to the 06. She was the dictionary example of integrity and honesty. She earned her blue rope and then blue rope of the year. She truly was the best of the best. I will miss her deeply and daily. She was an instructor from 1989 to 1994, then she went to the Air Force Academy. She left the military without retiring or joining the AF reserve after acquiring her masters degree. All of us should work toward achieving what Shauna achieved in her short life time, personal and professional happiness. - Kelly Mobley / MTI, friend, co-worker

SSgt Neil Crow was an unbelievable MTI. I never met an individual that was as dedicated, serious or as consciences as Neil was. I worked with him in the 3704th BMTS in the 80's. His military bearing was the thing legends are made of. In short sleeves he was rather intimidating, as he had both arms covered in tattoos and always wore his hair high-n-tight like a Marine. Neil was awarded the Blue Rope and later was selected as one of the 12 Most Outstanding Airmen in the Air Force. When he left BMT, he entered OTS and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt.

I was shocked to hear that this outstanding individual passed away unexpectedly a few years later as a Captain stationed in Arizona. For those of us that knew him, there is no reason to explain, for those that didn't know him, there are no words. - SSgt Tim E. Johnson

Jose Bara, Sr. (USAF retired), born April 13, 1944 in Corpus Christi TX, went to be with our Lord on January 20, 2005 in San Antonio, TX.

Jose worked civil service at Lackland Air Force Base as a Fuels Specialist for 17 years upon completing 23 years active duty military service. He spent 8 of the active duty years as a Training and Academic Instructor at the 3706 Basic Military Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, where he trained over 50,000 airmen for admission to the United States Air Force.

He was one of the founding members of the Military Training Instructor Association. His extensive military career allowed him and his family the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and North America. He had a great respect for both the Armed Forces and the San Antonio Police Department. He is survived by his loving family; wife Yolanda (retired USAA), daughter Karen (USAA Life Company), son Joey, daughter-in-law Becky, and three grandchildren, Jay, Allie and Matt. He is also survived by his mother Dolores, brothers Frankie, Louis and Felix, sister Nina, two stepbrothers, one stepsister, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Billy was a very upbeat and personable young man, whom made everyone around him feel important and part of a team. When I PCS'd to BMT in December 1993, Billy was assigned as one of my trainers. I graduated MTIS in Jan 94 and immediately became SSgt Dickens' team member. As every MTI is aware of, your first year is both very demanding and all consuming. Billy was always there to lend a helping hand and made sure that I understood the smart and effective way of accomplishing daily MTI duties. Billy was never short on words or sarcasm, often regarded as the squadron prankster. He had a gift; knowing how to effectively listen to others problems and turn a negative into a positive. Throughout his four years, SSgt Dickens trained several MTI's that were eventually selected as "Master Military Training Instructors", although he did not reach that plateau himself.

In 1996, Dickens was selected to perform Presidential Security, Air Force One, Andrews AFB, MD. Prior to leaving BMT, he displayed self-initiative and started the process of his flight physical. During the physical, doctors noticed a small gray cloud around Billy's lungs. An appointment for a biopsy was set and Billy was to have surgery to identify this problem. Billy had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used in the operation and was placed in critical condition. I spent countless hours at his bedside with Christine and Morgan. Billy made it through the surgery that day and was deemed ineligible for assignment to Andrews. He was then placed in a training position with Security Forces, Fairchild, AFB, WA. Billy lost his world wide deployable status and was forced to cross train. Dickens became a computer operator and was re-assigned to Lackland. Billy continued to maintain a close personal relationship with fellow MTI's and always offered a helping hand to any young instructor who seeked advice. In the spring of 2000, my life changed forever. I lost a close friend and had no idea how to deal with the pain. The biggest thing I regret is that I never told Billy how important he was to me and every other MTI that he came in contact with. Although Billy is not with us today, he will be remembered as a dedicated MTI and friend. I am confident that every day he is smiling down on the men and women of the 737th Training Group.

Written by Special Agent Chris Young, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Master Military Training Instructor, 323rd Training Squadron 1993 - 1997

MSgt Ken Burnham adds: He was a “trainee” MTI under the direction of then SSgt Tracy Hardy (blue rope and damn good instructor) at the 3703rd/323rd Squadron in the Early 90’s. He was a damn good guy! Once he got certified, he was just superb! He had a dry sense of humor and always made you wonder if he was talking about you or a trainee! He was very easy-going and was confident in his abilities. He could teach anything and you weren’t sure if he had completed it or not because he was so smooth! I think much of that is due to his personality and his Trainer. Tracy Hardy used to kick my butt when it came to Honor Flight competition, because she was so Good…..Billy got a lot of that from her. He was a Natural and someone that certainly left us much too soon. He was a good guy and someone I miss.

I wonder why I: Brace myself at every scandal; knowing the world only sees one uniform - Bear to have those few civilians look down at me in uniform - Uproot my family and move to a strange place every few years - THEN, I see that old man wearing a retired USAF cap smile at me, and I know why

I wonder why I: Allow my home to become so messy during the week - Agree to be separated from my family for months at a time - Attempt to level the playing field as a female, refusing to be a minority - THEN, I look over my sons shoulder and see him drawing a picture of himself in the USAF, and I know why

I wonder why I: Put up that desperate front - never allowing myself to cry - Spend a mere 20 days at home consoling my mother after my father has died - Agree to be sent to the other side of the world on my third plane trip ever - THEN I hear the daughter of a hero say she has never been more proud of her father, in response to my simple uniformed appearance at his funeral, and I know why

I wonder why I: Make the friends of a lifetime - only to lose them every 3-4 years - Missed the opportunity and honor of ever meeting my father-in-law - Leave my son in daycare for 12 hours and still find energy to play at the end of the day - THEN, I return home and see my military portrait hanging in the place of honor at my mother's home, and I know why

Renee A. Concentine, TSgt, USAF (MTI 331 TRS)

MSgt Sidney