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MTI captures first place at inaugural Joint Warrior Challenge
May 19, 2026 — Against the very best from every branch of the military, individuals forged in excellence, discipline, and relentless commitment, an Air Force military training instructor stood tall and emerged victorious. Master Sgt. Jesus Cintron, assigned to the 320th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, earned first place in the inaugural Joint Warrior Challenge on Fort Jackson, South Carolina, April 20...

CSAF immersion at JBSA highlights training modernization, force readiness
April 29, 2026 — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach held an immersion at Joint base San Antonio that included Air Force Basic Military Training, the Special Warfare Training Wing and the T-7A Red Hawk, underscoring AETC's focus of strengthening airpower through advancing and improving training...

Airminded Warriors wanted: Forging the next generation of Airmen
January 22, 2026 — The call is clear: the Air Force needs talented Airmen to transform civilians into Airminded Warriors. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force has called on us to remain a capable, credible, and ready force...

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...

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...

Military Training Instructor excels in Joint Service drill sergeant exchange program
January 24, 2024 — In the dynamic realm of military training, Staff Sgt. Karina Flores, an Air Force Military Training Instructor, recently participated in a drill sergeant exchange program with the U.S. Army. Known for its extreme competitiveness, Flores competed against nominees from various branches, facing a rigorous board consisting of five chief master sergeants. This demanding evaluation process underlines the dedication and proficiency required to earn a spot in the exchange program...

A Day in Command: Military Training Instructor takes the helm at the 37th Training Wing
November 30, 2023 — The 37th Training Wing granted a unique opportunity to one of its own -- Master Sgt. Aubrey J. Thrower, an exemplary and seasoned military training instructor, was selected to assume the role of Command Chief for a day...

'Ask an MTI' informs recruiters, helps bridge the gap for recruits heading to BMT
October 12, 2023 — For recruits heading to Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, connecting with a Military Training Instructor online prior to their departure is proving to help ease the transition from civilian to Airman. ...

Five MTIs earn their Blue Rope
August 16, 2022 — The third quarter Basic Military Training Blue Rope Competition results are in and five Airmen met the challenge and surpassed the requirements, earning the right to wear the blue rope on their campaign hat...

BMT graduation restarts tradition, returns to parade field
June 16, 2022 — More than 670 Airmen, as well as their military training instructors, restarted a basic military training graduation tradition June 9. For the first time in 825 days, graduation returned to the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Parade Field...

MTI achieves success from humble beginnings
January 21, 2022 — There are more trainees attending Air Force Basic Military Training than residents living in the small city of Garapan, Saipan, the hometown of Tech. Sgt. Eileen Echaluse, a Master Military Training Instructor at the 331st Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland...

San Antonio native named MTI of the Year
January 6, 2022 — Joining the Air Force in 2007 was an easy decision for Master Sgt. Michael A. Galindo, who grew up in San Antonio, also known as Military City USA...

Blue Rope of the Year says ‘building up others’ best part of being an MTI
December 17, 2021 — Becoming a Military Training Instructor wasn’t high on Tech. Sgt. Cameron Figueroa’s to-do list when he signed up for Developmental Special Duty...

A different point of view: a married couple’s BMT experience
November 12, 2021 — Almost every evening over the last year, Staff Sgt. Sarah Bento, a Military Training Instructor assigned to the 433rd Training Squadron, would come home to share her experiences as an instructor with her husband, Devon. Her words undoubtedly had an impact on Devon because, in September, he began experiencing BMT first-hand...

Military training instructor dons uniform for the last time
August 12, 2021 — In December 1965, R. Thomas Coons left Chesterfield County, Virginia, to join the U.S. Air Force. He didn’t know a career as a military training instructor would be his calling...

MTIs highlighted in video series on force generators
June 29, 2021 — Three military training instructors from the 737th Training Group are featured in a series of videos highlighting the invaluable contributions of force generators. MTIs, along with military training leaders, instructor pilots, Squadron Officer School instructors, technical training instructors and recruiters, are all force generators – members in special duty assignments who help lay the foundation for tomorrow’s Airmen and Guardians...

Dedication leads to Master Military Training Instructor Blue Rope success
June 15, 2021 — Despite multiple failed attempts over the course of 15 months, Tech. Sgt. Felipe Alvarado from the 331st Training Squadron was awarded his Master Military Training Instructor blue rope April 16...

Force generators: Leaders behind the success, growth of Airmen
May 11, 2021 — To maintain the competitive edge over adversaries, the Air Force must select the best Airmen to train and educate the next generation of Airmen...

U.S. Space Force achieves another milestone at Basic Military Training
May 8, 2021 — Another U.S. Space Force milestone was reached May 6 when the first all-Guardian flight graduated from Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The 31 men in Flight 429 and four women in Flight 430 were assigned to the 324th Training Squadron and were among the 571 recruits who completed 7 1/2 weeks of training...

Total Force delivers excellence at BMT
April 12, 2021 — The concept of Total Force Integration is simple – active duty, Reserve, and National Guard Airmen work together in support of the Air Force mission...