Over one year, no failures - 91 MXG UTMs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  All enlisted Airmen, whether they have just graduated technical training school or they were recently selected to become a staff sergeant, have to complete upgrade training to achieve their next skill level. While conducting upgrade training, Airmen can reach out to many different people for help, but one of their best assets is the unit training manager.

The UTM is the commander's key staff member responsible for overall management of the training program, according to Air Force Instruction 36-2201, "Air Force Training Program."

Paul Ziolkowski, UTM assigned to the 91st Maintenance Group at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, believes that his most important role is management of the upgrade training program for all Airmen.

"If I don't know the answer then either I find it or find someone with the answer," he said. "It's not always the answer they were looking for but it's the right answer for the question."

The primary job for a UTM is upgrade training, said Ziolkowski. "The Air Force cannot continue the mission unless it has trained Airmen to complete that mission."

The 91st MXG has had a very successful passing rate among Airmen completing their upgrade training.

"The last failure we had was in February of 2015 and since then we have had 101 Airmen take their career development course test," he said "I have been the UTM for the 91st Maintenance Group since July 2007, and we have only had six first-time failures and zero second-time failures out of 842 tests taken."

"It's unbelievable", said Col. Michael Lutton, 91st Missile Wing commander. "Unit training managers go the extra mile to help Airmen and that's really demonstrated in the passing rate among our Airmen."

Success within the program comes down to good expectation management, said Maj. Brock Sargent, operations officer assigned to the 791st Maintenance Squadron.

"When [Ziolkowski] sits down with an Airman in upgrade training, he gives it to them straight," said Sargent. "He reminds them that this is a military organization and we have a high standard of performance and a low tolerance for failure. That Airman leaves his office with a very clear understanding of what is expected and required of him, and what will happen if he fails to meet those requirements."

Unit training managers are put in place to help Airmen achieve their goals and help them advance professionally and personally, said Lutton. "It can often be overlooked how professionally instrumental a UTM is early on in an Airman's career."