ARE YOU READY? ANCILLARY TRAINING

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha Dupas
KEESLER AFB, BILOXI, MS --  This is part 2 of 3 in a series on 403rd Wing Reserve readiness.

It is vital that all Airmen understand what is required before a deployment. Ancillary readiness is an important aspect of being prepared as it requires Air Force-wide training for each individual, which is supplemental to their core Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).

Airmen may have different training requirements they must complete dependant upon their AFSC; it is each Airman's responsibility to know what they need to be prepared. Unit deployment managers have requirement lists available should a Reservist need to reference them.

"Ancillary training is more advanced and typically geared toward our ability to deploy however, most of the training pertains to all of us," said Capt. Philip Rudolph, 403rd financial management officer. "Reservists should talk with the UDM, to see what is necessary and required before your time comes to deploy."

Ancillary training consists of a variety of classes that can be separated into three categories: computer based training, classroom, and hands-on.

"CBTs are classes on the computer and are broken up into different lesson plans," said Captain Rudolph. "This online series can include audio, visuals, and text. Some of them have tests at the end that require a passing percentage to get to the next lesson."

Reservists work with their UDM to determine how often they need to take each CBT. For example, law of armed conflict, human relations, information assurance, and force protection are required annually.

Some training requires completion of a CBT as well as a hands-on portion. Two such classes are self-aid buddy care, a bi-annual requirement, and chemical warfare which is now required just before deployment.

"Members of the 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron must complete chemical warfare training every 20 months because it is part of their AFSC," said Master Sgt. Thomas Williams, a 403rd CES senior air reserve technician. "Non-CES airmen attend just-in-time training prior to a deployment."

Just-in-time training also involves weapons qualification.

"This training allows all Airmen from every AFSC to be able to defend themselves when deployed," said Tech. Sgt. Kayetta Robert with the 403rd Security Forces Squadron. "It doesn't only apply to deployments, but at all times."

Reservists should strive to keep their training current because there is no telling when they will have to use it. 

"These are skills as Airman, we all need, regardless of what particular job skill we bring to the fight," said Captain Rudolph. "It makes us better Airman and better prepared to operate in a deployed environment."

Any Reservist needing to inquire about ancillary training can reach Capt. Rudolph @ 228-377-5143.