5th MXG implements innovative training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Audit
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

The 5th Maintenance Group Training Section has combined efficiency and readiness by merging ancillary training, CPR, Green Dot and resiliency training into an all-encompassing two-day training session offered every week.

Tech. Sgt. John M. Silva, 5th MXG training instructor, along with three other 5th MXG members, collaborated to reduce the time of Computer Based Training and other required training.

The new maintenance initial orientation training was implemented May 1st and cuts the previous training time by 75 percent. The training teaches Airmen topics such as wing and emergency medical support, power-based personal violence, and psychological resilience.

“We consolidated it into a plan where you get everything required throughout the year and we don’t have to worry about them being overdue [with training],” said Silva.

The training instructors also reduced CBT time to one hour rather than four hours annually. This plan will save about 5,100 hours a year across the group and will also reduce scheduling, travel and classroom time for Airmen.  

“That’s 5,100 hours of time that these maintainers can turn a wrench instead of sitting at a computer doing CBTs,” said Master Sgt. Steven A. Boyer, 5th MXG Unit Training Manager. “It also reduces scheduling time for our scheduling personnel, travel and idle classroom time. The reason it works so effectively for maintainers is because they don’t have access to many computers.”

The training not only saves time, but also allows Airmen to work hand-in-hand and learn to be more interactive with their fellow wingmen.

 “With our experience as instructors, we’re able to give that human aspect back and actually tell the audience ‘Hey, these are the warning, cautions and notes of what actually can happen,’” said Silva.

The classes range between 25-35 MXG personnel a day. 15 of these seats are open for other squadrons so they can complete Green Dot, resiliency and other required training. 

“We had a great turn-out,” said Silva. “We had about 35 people show up and the class went great. We actually had other instructors come in from Green Dot and Resiliency training to help us teach.”

In the next year, they’re hoping to train about 50 percent of the wing. By the end of this year, a projected 1,735 people will have attended these classes.