LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Arriving to a new duty station right out of technical training can be overwhelming. To help assist new Airmen, the First Term Airmen Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va., is designed to help ease the transition upon the first 30 days of arrival.
The five-day FTAC course consists of briefings from representatives around Langley to provide the Airmen with details, which include information of the base, the surrounding area and general U.S. Air Force knowledge.
These representatives include personal financial management, Airman Committed to Excellence and many more briefers, said Staff Sgt. Jessica Grabinski, 633rd Force Support Squadron FTAC team leader.
As team leader, Grabinski schedules and facilitates the required briefings for new Airmen while adding extra briefings designed to shed light on additional information around the base.
"The briefs are important for the Airmen," said Grabinski. "They are often the first glance into their duty station."
On a typical day, the team leader makes sure all Airmen are in place on time, and then informs them of who will be briefing or if there are any special guests for that day.
"The course helped me learn more about the base," said Airman 1st Class Samuel Driscoll, 83rd Network Operations Squadron network focal point technician. "I know what is offered to me and new opportunities I can take advantage of."
During the personal financial management brief, Airmen learn different ways to save, spend and invest. They get a detailed breakdown of their leave and earning statements, informed on how to set up allotments, and much more.
While in FTAC, the Airmen get the opportunity to meet the leadership of Langley, which includes a chief master sergeant mentorship lunch on Monday and a briefing by Col. John J. Allen, 633rd Air Base Wing commander.
To conclude the week, the class participates in a graduation ceremony, where they receive a certificate of completion.
"After the graduation we will release the Airmen to their respective squadrons," said Grabinski. "We hope with the completion of the course they will take the things they have learned back with them."
For more information contact the FTAC at 764-3166