MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Master Sergeant Antonio King is a unit training manager (UTM) with the 908th Civil Engineering Squadron and has been in the position for two years.
The Maxwell-native has a military career that spans all the way back to when he graduated from high school in 1997. King said it only felt natural to join the military at 18 since both of his parents were in the Air Force. He initially joined the Marine Corps where he worked in supply while active duty for four years.
When he finished his time in the Marine Corps he began pursuing a Criminal Justice degree at Alabama State University. During this time, he joined the Army National Guard as supply. Upon completion of his degree, he left the Army National Guard.
In 2014, he joined the Air Force Reserve and worked as a transporter with the 25th Aerial Port Squadron. After being a transporter for a few years, King became their UTM. In April 2019, King transferred from being the 25th APS’ UTM to the 908th CES’ UTM.
He said that the main difference between the two units is that the 908th CES has 12 different career fields. He says that the diversity between the job types in CES make his day exciting and interesting.
“Call me crazy, but I love that there are so many different career fields in Civil Engineering,” said King. “I like the aspect of always dealing with something different and staying busy by bouncing around and engaging with every aspect of Civil Engineering.”
On the civilian side, King is a senior officer with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. King said that this means he is responsible for running the agency’s training center while also training probation and parole officers. He has worked there since joining the Air Force Reserve in 2014.
King said that he loved training so much that he even used to own his own fitness center for over eight years in Montgomery, Alabama.
“I often tell people that you’re only as good as your trainer,” said King. “So to be able to make sure that people are able to perform whatever their job is to the best of their ability and to be as efficient and effective at what they do is a wonderful feeling for me.”
King said that he loves that people are able to use what they have been taught to benefit either themselves or other people.
Having dedicated trainers like Master Sgt. King that love to serve others through the development and training of both Airmen and law enforcement officers is why the 908th Airlift Wing is able to have Airmen that are prepared for anything at any time.