Delayed Enlistment Program prepares civilians for BMT

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The 459th Air Refueling Wing hosted 18 "Airman-to-be" as part of the Delayed Enlisted Program during the March Unit Training Assembly, March 10.

The program was stood up by the 459 ARW Development and Training Flight and helps to prepare individuals whom have enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and are awaiting Basic Military Training dates.

"The program was implemented to help civilians transition from their way of life into the military way of life," said Master Sgt. Cherylene Menefee, base program manager for the 459 ARW DTF. "We also wanted to reduce drop-out rate of BMT and tech school."

The trainees are mandated to participate in the program, which occurs every Sunday of the UTA. While in class, they learn Air Force history, dress and appearance, rank structure, customer service, drill instruction, the Airman's Creed and they even have to do a mock physical fitness test to AF standards.

"We hold them to the same standards as current Airmen, "said Menefee. "They decided to join the military so why not treat them the same way they will be treating when they get back from training?"

Some of the trainees will only be in the program for a short time as they will be shipped out to BMT within a few weeks. But for others, like Pantina Artis, have a long wait before their feet hit the ground at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Artis will be working with aircraft fuel systems when she returns back from training to the 459 ARW and she said the program will give her the edge to stay motivated and to keep going.

"I am so anxious because my training date is so far away," she said. "My biggest fear in anything I do is failing, so this program is going to give me the preparation to be ahead of everyone a little and know I won't give up."

While the program is new to the 459 ARW, 33 other bases around the Air Force Reserve Command have already stood up their DEP.

The future of the DEP is predicted to be successful. The soon -to-be-Airmen are motivated and ready for the next chapter in their lives, said Menefee.

"I feel like I belong here [AF] and I feel like it is me and I haven't even put on a uniform," said Artis. "I've never felt like I've belonged anywhere so much."