Joint Base San Antonio > News

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... MORE

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... MORE

'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. ... MORE

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... MORE

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... MORE

More than 600 Airmen assigned to the 433rd Training Squadron graduated from Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 8-9 2022,

Enhanced BMT integration helps create culture of dignity, respect
February 17, 2022 — As early as 2015, the Air Force recognized the power of Basic Military Training enhanced integration in creating a climate of dignity and respect... MORE

BMT trainees march during their graduation parade.

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... MORE

TSgt Eileen Echaluse stands in front of 331 TRS mural at JBSA-Lackland, Texas.

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... MORE

MTI of the year stands in front of 324th TRS shield.

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... MORE

TSgt Figueroa at the MTI Monument at JBSA-Lackland

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... MORE

MTI hugs her husband after he graduates from BMT

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... MORE

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... MORE

Staff Sgt. Alexandria Washington stands with her arms crossed while trainees are at their lockers in the background.

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... MORE

Seven members of the 737th Training Group.

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... MORE

Graphic containing images of Force Generators along with text that contains statistical averages of Force Generators' promotion rates.

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... MORE

The first flight comprised entirely of U.S. Space Force Guardians graduated from Air Force Basic Military Training on May 6, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Thirty-one men comprised Flight 429, and four women were members of Flight 430. These 35 Guardians were among the total 571 graduates from the 324th Training Squadron. After graduation, the new Guardians will attend technical training at one of three bases: Vandenberg AFB, Calif.; Goodfellow AFB, Texas; and Keesler AFB, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Thomas A. Coney)

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... MORE

The 433rd TRS is comprised of Total Force Airmen who accomplish the basic military training mission — motivate, train and inspire the next generation of Airmen and Guardians with the foundation to deliver 21st Century Airpower.

MTI of the Year attributes win to coworkers, leadership
November 17, 2020 — Master Sgt. Roslyn Ball, 319th Training Squadron, credits the mentorship and bonds she’s shared with her fellow Military Training Instructors in receiving the 2020 MTI of the Year award... MORE

Blue Rope of the Year extols rewards of MTI career
November 4, 2020 — When 20-year-old Holly Vaught walked into an Air Force recruiter’s office in the summer of 2003, she was by her own account, emotionally lost with $2 and a half tank of gas to her name. She admitted... MORE

Master Sgt. Holly Vaught is the 2020 Blue Rope of the Year.

433rd TRS Reserve MTI STEPS to master sergeant
October 19, 2020 — Former Marine Corps field radio operator Martin Hernandez, now an Air Force Reserve military training instructor at the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was STEP-promoted to master sergeant during an October ceremony at JBSA-Lackland, attended by his MTI teammates and his flight of basic trainees. The 433rd TRS is one of seven squadrons assigned to the 340th Flying Training Group at JBSA-Randolph, and the only all-Reserve MTI squadron in the Air Force. ... MORE

New commander takes over 433rd Training Squadron
August 11, 2020 — Lt. Col. Anthony Erard assumed command of the 433rd Training Squadron during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 7, officiated by Col. Michael J. Vanzo, 340th Flying Training Group commander... MORE