JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Three-time Olympic athlete, Anita Alvarez, graduated Air Force Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Jan. 9.
After winning a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alvarez made her way to the 737th Training Group to complete seven-and-a-half weeks of basic military training. The newly graduated athlete is now also known as Airman Alvarez.
“My BMT experience is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” Alvarez said. “The regimen, discipline, teamwork and resilience needed to get through the past 7.5 weeks felt similar to what was needed to make it to and through three Olympic games and all the challenges I’ve faced along the way.”
Alvarez is one of 781 airmen to graduate from BMT this week. However, her Air Force journey will look a little different than most. Alvarez will be joining a premier group of athletes in the Department of the Air Force World Class Athlete Program to continue her training as an artistic swimmer.
Dale Filsell, Chief, Department of the Air Force WCAP and Shooting Program, said, “DAF WCAP affords elite athletes, such as Airman Alvarez, the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic games and proudly serve their country at the same time.”
The DAF WCAP, managed by Air Force Services Center, was established in 1995 and is open to Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve Air Force and Space Force personnel who rank the highest in their sports. Since its inception, 14 WCAP athletes have represented Team USA at the Summer and Winter Olympics.
“The DAF WCAP is delighted to welcome Airman Anita Alvarez to the program,” Filsell said. “Airman Alvarez is WCAP’s first-ever recruited Olympic medalist and the program is looking forward to supporting Airman Alvarez as she trains and competes to become a four-time Olympian at the LA28 Summer Olympics.”
Although WCAP athletes train full-time in their given sport, they are also required to complete all annual and ancillary training, professional military education, fitness assessments and other mandatory tasks required of all Airmen and Guardians.
“I feel very honored to be getting this opportunity to serve my country while simultaneously representing my country as I look toward the final years of my professional athletic career,” said Alvarez.
For more information about the Air Force World Class Athlete Program visit their website at https://myairforcelife.com/air-force-wcap/