332D AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING -- Red Tail University is a new, supervisory-skill building and self-improvement initiative available to 332d Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen.
Everyone assigned to 332d AEW is invited to attend RTU events which include training on customer service, stress management, providing and receiving constructive criticism and bullet writing.
“One of the goals we had when starting RTU was to professionally develop and create opportunities for people. They're going learn something, use those skills and apply it to everyday life,” said Tech. Sgt. Avery R. Usita, 332d AEW Equal Opportunity specialist and RTU co-director. “We want to help people, help people.”
This initiative connects members who want to teach with those who want to learn.
“RTU is an opportunity for people to share professional and personal knowledge to help develop fellow Airmen,” said Staff Sgt. Alissa VandeBunte, 332d Communications Squadron Engineering installation technician and RTU administrator. “I've been to each of the courses so far and they’ve all been great because people are sharing what they are passionate about.”
The curriculum options RTU provides is meant to encourage 332d AEW Red Tails to seek learning and personal growth opportunities beyond textbook-style professional military education.
“People here have a thirst for knowledge and are more likely to pursue that now with all the things we are offering.” said Master Sgt. John McIntosh, 332d Chapel operations noncommissioned officer and RTU co-director.
This new program was modeled on other successful enterprises found at U.S. Air Force installations around the world, such as the Wyvern University at Aviano Air Base in Italy and Shark University at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.
“The course curriculum offered every Saturday is distinctly different from other 332d AEW PME offerings such as Airpower Leadership Academy and the First Sergeant Symposium,” said Chief Master Sgt. Sean Milligan, 332d AEW command chief. “This is another great example of our commitment to ‘Return Airmen Better’.”