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New ERASE program aims to save lives through early cardiac risk detection
April 23, 2025 — The ERASE program, led by Dr. M. Alaric Franzos, is a pilot initiative aimed at reducing sudden cardiac arrest in military personnel through early ECG screening at basic training and service academies. Reviving a previously discontinued practice, the program uses modern technology and data to identify hidden cardiac risks and improve medical readiness. With promising early results, ERASE could shape future Department of Defense screening policy... MORE

Capt. (Ret.) M. Alaric Franzos, MD, MPH, FACC, FACP, a staff cardiologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, conducts a clinical examination as part of the ERASE program at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, March 22, 2025.

324th Training Squadron dedicates training complex to fallen Airman
April 8, 2025 — The 324th Training Squadron held a remembrance ceremony and building dedication in honor of Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson at Joint base San Antonio-Lackland on April 4... MORE

A military unit is in formation in front of a knight statue and memorial plaque.

A new chapter in readiness: PACER FORGE Provisional
March 11, 2025 — A new chapter in readiness has begun as more than 800 Basic Military Training trainees recently completed the inaugural iteration of PACER FORGE Provisional, an intensified culminating event designed to cultivate an Airminded Warfighter mindset with a laser focus on readiness, lethality, and warfighting. ... MORE

Trainees line up under the red light at the start of PACER FORGE

New app helps expedite communication with BMT trainees
February 14, 2025 — The 37th Training Wing is collaborating with a new platform to provide information to families of trainees faster than ever – all with just a few clicks... MORE

An Airman writes a letter on a piece of paper

Olympic athlete graduates Basic Military Training
January 10, 2025 — Three-time Olympic athlete, Anita Alvarez, graduated Air Force Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Jan. 9... MORE

Airman Anita Alvarez poses for a photo with her 2024 Paris Olympics silver medal

Miss America congratulates Air Force’s newest naturalized citizens
October 24, 2024 — As family and friends found their seats in the bleachers, 36 soon-to-be-Airmen marched inside, signed their names and officially became naturalized U.S. citizens on Oct. 9 at the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Before the trainees headed back outside to prepare for the Coining Ceremony, a milestone in Basic Military Training graduation, Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, crowned Miss America 2024, congratulated the group... MORE

woman in uniform smiles as group of uniformed Airmen march past

U.S. Space Force leaders inspire newest Guardians, Airmen during BMT graduation week
October 24, 2024 — U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman set high expectations for the graduating class of enlisted Guardians and Airmen during a Basic Military Training ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio on Oct. 17... MORE

A legacy of service: The Urdzik family’s multi-generational commitment to the military
October 11, 2024 — The Urdzik family is a living testament to dedication, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family — bound together by a legacy of military service. Across generations and branches of the armed forces, this family has served their country and upheld the values of duty and honor, passing them from one generation to the next... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Jacob Urdzik, a Military Training Instructor at the 737th Training Group, poses for a photo following the Basic Military Graduation of his brother, Airman David Urdzik. The brothers are accompanied by their father, Lt. Col. retired Chris Urdzik, and brother, Cadet 3rd Class Samual Urdzik. The Urdzik family is a multigenerational military family where shared values, sacrifice, and pride unite the past, present, and future.

More than 600 Airmen graduate Basic Military Training Oct. 2-3
October 8, 2024 — More than 600 Airmen assigned to Flights 614-627 received their Airman’s coin during the 737th Training Group’s Coin and Retreat Ceremony, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Oct. 2, 2024... MORE

Twin brothers serve together at Basic Military Training, share goal to inspire Airmen
October 3, 2024 — One look at Master Sgt. Christopher Platt, 321st Training Squadron, and his brother, Tech. Sgt. Charles Platt, 320th Training Squadron, may lead some to do a double take. The brothers are identical twins who share more than similar looks; they also both embody an indistinguishable passion – one that they’ve been able to pursue here at the 737th Training Group... MORE

Master Sgt. Christopher Platt, 321st Training Squadron, stands next to his identical twin brother Tech. Sgt. Charles Platt, 320th Training Squadron, Sept. 12, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

17th Training Wing commander reviews BMT graduation
September 10, 2024 — Col. Angelina Maguinness, the 17th Training Wing commander at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, reviewed a Basic Military Training graduation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Sept. 5, and invited honorary commanders to experience trainees becoming Airmen and Guardians... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander, speaks with Airman Leilani Greno, a graduate of Basic Military Training, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sep. 5, 2024. Greno will become a part of the 312th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base to become a fire protection apprentice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zach Heimbuch)

Practice weapons boost readiness for Air Force basic trainees
August 12, 2024 — Airmen and Guardian trainees are once again carrying practice weapons as part of the training regimen at the Department of the Air Force Basic Military Training... MORE

U.S. Air Force trainees stand in formation holding practice weapons.

The Pfingston Reception Center: The heart of Basic Military Training
August 1, 2024 — One by one, novice trainees anxiously march into the Pfingston Reception Center, known as the PRC, with anticipation to begin Basic Military Training. After seven and a half weeks, they return, transformed into ambitious Airmen and Guardians... MORE

Established in 2014, the Pfingston Reception Center is home to all processing for Basic Military Training. The doors to the PRC are the first ones the trainees walk through at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and the last doors they walk out of onto their next adventures in technical training. (U.S. Air Force by Ava Leone)

CMSAF makes inaugural visit to Basic Military Training
July 8, 2024 — Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi made his first official visit to a Basic Military Training graduation on June 20. As the 20th CMSAF, Flosi’s presence underscored the significance of the event for the newest graduates of the Air Force and Space Force. ... MORE

Academy cadets join military training instructors at Basic Military Training
July 1, 2024 — Twenty-four U.S. Air Force Academy cadets participated in the annual Summer Leadership Program at Basic Military Training from June 1-20. They worked alongside Military Training Instructors and through their mentorship gained invaluable expertise... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Brian Weber, a Military Training Instructor with the 321st Training Squadron, provides guidance to U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Seth Hannenburg during a weapons handling lesson for Basic Military Training trainees on June 17, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The Summer Leadership Program at USAFA provides cadets with the opportunity to collaborate with BMT MTIs at the 737th Training Group for three weeks in June. When the cadets return to USAFA in the fall, they will lead the six-week indoctrination program, Basic Cadet Training, for incoming USAFA students. The 321 TRS, is just one of 10 training squadrons, that guide and coach the next generation of Airmen at BMT. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ava Leone)

Naturalization program at BMT reaches one-year milestone
May 2, 2024 — As the streamlined naturalization process at U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training marks its one-year anniversary, the program continues to gain traction and expand its reach... MORE

An Airman signs his U.S. Certificate of Citizenship after Basic Military Training Coin and Retreat Ceremony April 26, 2023 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The Airman was one of 14 who became U.S. citizens through the Naturalization at BMT Program.. The program, which was streamlined last year, is now online. As of May 1, 2024, more than 1,000 trainees have become U.S. citizens through the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Vanessa R. Adame)

Enhancing trainee performance: A breakdown of 'Operation First Flight'
April 15, 2024 — Air Force Basic Military Training has undergone a significant transformation with the recent implementation of Zero Week at the 323rd Training Squadron. This strategic, organizational conversion marks an intentional shift in the approach to training new recruits, with the goal of not only assessing initial competency but also to equip trainees with essential tools for success throughout their time in BMT and beyond... MORE

A Military Training Instructor addresses Basic Military Training trainees assigned to the 323rd Training Squadron on Jan. 20, 2024 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, during culminating events on day five of Zero Week, known as Operation First Flight. Zero Week is the first five days of BMT where MTIs have the opportunity to optimize instruction before trainees are assigned to their BMT squadron. Zero Week serves as a deliberate process that not only assesses the initial competency and readiness of trainees but equips them with the essential tools needed to excel throughout their BMT journey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan Cotto)

United States Space Force rolls out new Physical Training Uniform at BMT
March 11, 2024 — The United States Space Force began the roll-out of its Physical Training Uniform on March 8, when it was provided to the newest Basic Military Training Guardian trainees... MORE

Space Force Basic Military Training launches new tradition
January 16, 2024 — The U.S. Space Force has introduced a meaningful new tradition to its Basic Military Training graduation ceremonies at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

A newly graduated U.S. Space Force Guardian presents the U.S. Space Force Family lapel pin to a family member during a Basic Military Training graduation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Dec. 27, 2023. In a move that celebrates both the service members and their families, graduating Guardians will now present the Delta-shaped U.S. Space Force Family lapel pins to their loved ones during graduation week. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2d Lt. Kate E. Anderson)

157th Air Refueling Wing visits Air Force Basic Military Training
December 19, 2023 — NCOs, senior NCOs and company grade officers from the 157th Air Refueling Wing flew down to Air Force Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland from Nov. 7-9. The group was tasked with bringing their knowledge and understanding of BMT back to the Wing's newest Airmen and trainees. ... MORE