It did just happen: 322nd TRS instructor selected MTI of the Year

by Mike Joseph
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

5/15/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- "That did not just happen."

It's a phrase hundreds of trainees in the 322nd Training Squadron have heard Staff Sgt. Eddie Glover say while leading flights as a military training instructor.

In fact, one trainee eventually told Glover that when he heard the instructor say "that did not just happen," he knew the eagle-eyed MTI had just spotted a trainee's unnecessary movement, no matter how minute. Glover's catchphrase, albeit under totally different circumstances, might have been appropriate when he learned of his selection as Air Education and Training Command's 2014 MTI of the Year.

While he didn't use those exactwords, they were close.

"I was completely shocked," Glover said. "I knew the other MTIs up for the award. I knew their qualifications and I knew how good they were. That's why it was such a shock."

Glover understands there is no "I" in "team." Teamwork is one cornerstone of basic military training that MTIs use to mold civilians into warrior Airmen of character.

"When someone around the squadron congratulates me, I feel like they should pat themselves on the back," he said. "I was recognized because of the entire squadron's work."

Glover is the third MTI in a row from the 322nd TRS to be honored by AETC. He follows Tech. Sgt. Joshua Hite, last year's MTI of the Year winner, and Tech. Sgt. Brian Fisher, who won in 2012.

Glover and Hite were in the same MTI School class in 2009 and Fisher was a week ahead of the pair at MTI School. In addition to the AETC honors, the trio has another common thread. They've been the past three Blue Ropes of the Year, which signifies the best of the best among MTIs. Blue ropes are master instructors and chosen from the top 10 percent of the MTI Corps regardless of rank.

"It seems like Hite and I have always been together," said Glover. "I was his alternate when he was military drill and ceremony NCO in charge for the squadron in 2012 and I took over last year when he left to become an instructor at MTIS."

Since coming to the 322nd TRS as a senior airman almost five years ago, Glover has led 21 flights and trained four instructors before spending the last year and a half as MDC.

"My job as MDC was to make sure instructors were prepared for graduation ceremonies and lend as much help as humanly possible, help train instructors and have a pulse on the squadron," Glover said. "The real work came from the ones who stood behind me."

During the award year, Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013, Glover was in constant motion. Not only was he Blue Rope of the Year, he was also the MDC when Gen. Edward Rice retired as AETC commander, performed staff positions in seven BMT graduation parades, codified tracking for MTI best practices, organized the eighth annual Tiger Stripe Ball for more than 200 attendees, led 15 BMT tours, was hand-selected for the U.S. Air Force Association Leadership Program and conducted 605 checklist reviews/evaluations that resulted in the squadron learning five honor fl ights and eight warrior fl ights.

In his spare time, he co-chaired a golf tournament, coordinated a 737th Training Group 5K run and mentored 21 fi rst-grade children during "Read Across America."

Little wonder he calls his assignment to the 322nd TRS an incredible experience.

"The absolute greatest time of being an MTI is being a trainer to instructors," Glover said. "In addition to having trained 21 fl ights of Airmen (more than 1,100) who are now operational in the Air Force, each MTI student that I trained also has a piece of me in them.

"BMT gives you a unique opportunity," he said. "All the long days and all the Airmen make it mean more because you have a vested stake in them. I've already got four staff sergeants active duty, which makes me proud," before adding with laughter, "I need to make some rank before they pass me."

In a little more than a month, Glover will head back to his career field. However, the 322nd TRS won't be out of sight or out of mind. He'll be able to step outside the Transport Management Offi ce in building 5616 - "booking household goods and airline tickets," Glover said with a grin - and gaze to the west, where in the skyline he'll see the structure that's created a lifetime of memories. "You have to train to restock the Air Force," he said, "so I feel like mission accomplished."

Which, to borrow some of Glover's words, really did happen.