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Band of sisters reunite, rekindle a 40-year bond
December 12, 2019 — Basic military training, or BMT, trainees are provided different skills that can help them throughout their military careers. Some skills come from materials found in textbooks. A few develop the ability to connect within a BMT flight. It was because of this connection that Susan Whaley and her band of sisters were able to reunite after 40 years... MORE

Group photo of flight 3707th Squadron, flight W09, 1979

37th TRW Command Chief: AIRMEN these days: Volume 1
December 10, 2019 — I’ve heard the comment, “Airmen these days” quite a bit over the years. It’s usually from a negative standpoint; how today’s Airmen are not as disciplined, dedicated, or mature as those from “back in my day…” To help others see the greatness in our Airmen who join and stay on our team (no matter what age) – I’m going to start a series which demonstrates it called “Airmen these days.” ... MORE

Airmen 1st Class Washington celebrates Basic Military Training graduation with Chief Master Sgt. Stefan Blazier, 37th Training Wing command chief. Washington holds his 12-week-old daughter and kicks off his Air Force career.

340th FTG welcomes group's first airman basic, honors Air Force heroes
November 18, 2019 — A dozen-plus members of the 340th Flying Training Group traveled to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to celebrate the Nov. 8 basic military training graduation of the group's first "slick sleeve" member, Airman Basic Kevin Rios Rivera... MORE

Air Force on schedule with new uniform issue timeline
October 3, 2019 — Trainees entering into Basic Military Training, or BMT, at the 37th Training Wing this week are the first group to be issued the new Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, uniforms. After taking Airmen feedback into consideration, the uniform board members said they chose the OCP for the improved fit and comfort and so that they will blend in with their soldier counterparts’ uniforms in the joint environments, according to Cooper. ... MORE

Cecil Harvey, 502d Logistics Readiness Squadron lead supply technician, helps a U.S. Air Force basic military training trainee, 326th Training Squadron, during the initial issue of the first operational camouflage pattern (OCP) uniform, Oct. 2, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

BMT murals: inspiring the next generation
August 8, 2019 — Trainees with the 321st Training Squadron volunteered to paint a series of murals through the unit. The project started July 4, 2017, with the American flag painted across the hallway of several classrooms. It took about 2 ½ months and about 12 gallons of paint. ... MORE

Lt. Col. Jeurney Meekins, 321 st Training Squadron former commander, poses in front of a mural of the American flag July 17, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Webb gets first-hand look at BMT, international training during 37th Training Wing immersion
August 2, 2019 — The 37th Training Wing Warhawks hosted Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, AETC command chief, for a two-day immersion at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 1-2... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb (right), commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, AETC command chief, salute basic military trainees during the graduation parade Aug. 2, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

Air Force Basic Military Training continues to fine-tune program with major modernizations
June 6, 2019 — As part of the Basic Military Training curriculum revamp centered on readiness and lethality, airmanship, fitness and the warrior ethos, multiple changes to training are set to begin this summer. BMT is set to receive close to 9,000 M4 training rifles and after renovations to the combat arms range are completed, BMT will switch from the M16 weapons familiarization course to the M4 weapons qualification course... MORE

U.S. Air Force basic military training trainees practice assembling and disassembling their M-16 trainer weapon at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 2. Airmen must know how to fix malfunctions in order to continue the fight and protect their fellow Wingman. Basic military training is an eight-week course designed to challenge Airmen mentally and physically.

Initial clothing issue office dresses trainees as Airmen
May 10, 2019 — Scared, anxious and sleep deprived; between 300 and 400 trainees, many with freshly shaved heads from the barber located next door, pass through a brown brick building each week to receive their first sets of uniforms and clothing items they will need for life in the military... MORE

Trainees line up for initial clothing issue May 1, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Between 300 and 400 trainees receive their first sets of uniforms weekly from initial clothing issue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stormy Archer)

Protocol, practice, teamwork help save BMT trainee’s life
April 22, 2019 — The safety of the trainees at Basic Military Training is a top priority. When one trainee collapsed, the military training instructors immediately stepped up and ensure the safety and health of the distressed trainee... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Drumm, 324th Training Squadron, NCO in charge of PT and supply, poses for a photo.

37th Training Wing bivouac exercise builds readiness, camaraderie
March 7, 2019 — Personnel from the 37th Training Wing participated in a bivouac exercise Feb 12-13, at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST) site at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland-Medina Annex. The first of its kind 36-hour exercise focused on instilling the air expeditionary mindset, building individual and team confidence, and identifying training needs in an effort to promote Comprehensive Airman Fitness, improve readiness, and foster stronger relationships across the wing... MORE

Son carries on fallen father’s legacy
February 22, 2019 — At first glance, the Air Force Basic Military Training graduation Feb. 8 appeared no different than any other, but it was a unique occasion, as a new heritage flight honoring an Airman who made the ultimate sacrifice was unveiled... MORE

Basic Military Training puts focus on heritage
January 30, 2019 — Basic Military Training has implemented several heritage-based programs in an effort to better connect Airmen to the Air Force core values... MORE

Like daughter, like mother: recruiter helps family join U.S. Air Force
January 16, 2019 — When senior year of college became expensive and it was tough to keep up, a mother asked her daughter to consider joining the military as her father and others in his family had done. However, no one expected mother to sign up for service while gathering information for her daughter at the Air Force recruiting office in her Rhode Island hometown... MORE

Military Training Instructor Schoolhouse: training the trainer
December 28, 2018 — The distinct wide-brimmed blue campaign hat is easily recognizable and worn only by a specific group of Airmen: military training instructors. Known for professionalism, these specially selected and trained MTIs are tasked with mentoring, teaching and molding civilians arriving at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for basic military training, or BMT... MORE

Air Force basic military training trainees listen closely to Military Training Instructor Master Sgt. Michael Hernandez, Reserve Citizen Airman with the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Attention to detail, discipline and teamwork learned at this stage enabled trainees to succeed and graduate during ceremonies held Dec. 14.

Former 37th TRW commander attends BMT graduation unlike any other
December 12, 2018 — As a former 37th Training Wing commander, retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Andrew P. Iosue has seen countless Basic Military Training graduations. The graduation he attended Nov. 30, however, was like no other, as he witnessed his step-grandson, Michael Willett become Airman 1st Class Willett... MORE

BMT curriculum changes focused on inspiring, developing Airmen
November 6, 2018 — After listening to feedback from the field, a few changes to the Air Force Basic Military Training curriculum will transform trainees into more combat ready Airmen. The changes, which began Sept. 4, are entirely focused on readiness and lethality, Airmanship, fitness and warrior ethos... MORE

A major change in body and mind is coming to the way Basic Military Training transitions civilians into Mach-21 Airmen. The changes, which start Sept. 4 and will increase the time trainees spend at BMT from 7.5 to 8.5 weeks, are being made in an effort to better develop the next generation of Airmen with an increased focus on and by modeling four lines of effort including readiness and lethality, airmanship, fitness and a warrior ethos. With readiness being one of the Air Force’s top priorities, the need to ensure Airmen are better prepared to support both the Air Force mission and that of joint combatant commanders is being addressed through a revamped expeditionary skills and weapons training curriculum.

Air Force Academy Cadets spend the summer at BMT
October 12, 2018 — This past summer, the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland hosted 38 Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy from June 5 through Aug. 1, as a part of the Air Force Ops Program that exposes cadets to the enlisted force and daily Air Force operations... MORE

Cadet Royse (left) "catching" a Military Working Dog on a bite sleeve under the supervision of Rene Torres (left), an MWD Breeding Program Training Instructor.

New Reid Health Services Center provides one-stop service
September 14, 2018 — The 59th Medical Wing celebrated the opening of the new Reid Health Services Center facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 13 on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

The 59th Medical Wing celebrated the opening of the new Reid Health Services Center facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 13 on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The new Reid Clinic incorporates functions from four buildings into one, consisting of 19 departments, and will serve approximately 86,000 patients per year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

Legacy Pavers Program honors military service members — past, present, and future
August 16, 2018 — Permanent tributes prominently displayed all around Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland that either marked a moment in time, or a job well done, were created by the Airman Heritage Foundation Legacy Paver Program... MORE

The AHF Legacy Paver Program began in 2010 with the mission to recognize the efforts of many people from all military service branches serving their country. Each paver has a different message that is captured in three lines and 14 characters.

Commentary: Telling my Air Force story through Recruiter Assistance Program
August 9, 2018 — Since my enlistment, I’ve been infatuated with the Air Force and all it has to offer. So, naturally, I was super excited for the chance to tell people my story and help others get started on what could be their active-duty journey, as well... MORE

RAP is designed for Airmen to work with Air Force recruiters in their hometowns for the purpose of spreading the word about the Air Force by sharing personal testimonies, setting up recruitment booths and speaking at schools and other organizations.