Time as MTL helps shape sergeant for job in JA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Carter
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Every Airman has their own reason for joining the Air Force and each Airman takes a different path after joining the military. Some stay in the same career field and some cross train to a new one. Each path is as unique as each person wearing the uniform.

Staff Sgt. Chester Rafan, 60th Air Mobility Wing military justice paralegal, joined to provide for his wife and four children, and his journey, so far, has taken him from civil engineering to paralegal with a special duty as a Military Training Leader in between.

Rafan, stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, began his career as a pavement and equipment Airman in the civil engineer career field and then cross trained to be a paralegal and received a permanent change of station to New Mexico. 

“As a paralegal, I draft paperwork for Article 15s and prepare, by doing research and investigations, for courts martial and other cases,” said Rafan. “We work with security forces and the office of special investigations to get rid of the people who make bad choices in the Air Force.”

While stationed in New Mexico, Rafan was given the opportunity to become a Military Training Leader as a special duty. Special duties allow Airmen to step outside of their career field and learn new skills.

“I didn’t like it at first because it was a fast-paced job, but once I got the hang of it, everything started to flow like a well-oiled machine,” said Rafan. “It made me a better supervisor, leader, mentor and overall Airman.”

As part of the 342nd Training Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Rafan was an MTL at the Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer School.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Rafan. “I conducted open ranks, room inspections, in-processing new in-bound Airmen and kept track of Airmen (at Detachment 1). My favorite part was being able to mentor the Airmen, whenever a technical training student/trainee needed help, needed advice or just needed to talk.”

After his tour as an MTL, Rafan returned to his career field as a paralegal and his new base was Travis Air Force Base, California, where he met Tech. Sgt. Peter Holcomb, his new supervisor.

“I began working with Rafan in July 2014 when we each PCS’d here from different locations,” said Holcomb, 60th Air Mobility Wing NCO in-charge of operations and readiness. “Having served as an MTL myself, I was able to pick out right away his desire to help others grow and his desire to accomplish the mission.

“The word ‘extra’ is really ‘normal’ when it comes to MTLs and this is definitely true with Rafan,” added Holcomb. “He is always there to help, to do more, to give more time, to understand the task better, no matter how much extra that requires from him.”

Paralegals, also known as judge advocates, are an extension of the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. JA’s role at each base is critical to mission accomplishment.

“Everything we do as a military force is intertwined by the laws of this great country; our experts are trained and available to help our commanders accomplish the mission –legally,” said Holcomb. “This includes following everything from the Laws of Armed Conflict and the Rules of Engagement, to ensuring any contracts for on base work are within the bounds of the law.”

Rafan’s supervisor speaks highly of him personally and professionally.

“The skills learned and developed from being an MTL has really enabled his keen attention to detail and his patience for perfection,” said Holcomb. “Rafan is married and has four children. His devotion to them is as strong as his devotion to his work. He is most definitely an example to follow.”