JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on his initial tour of Air Force Basic Military Training and Airmen’s Week May 3.
Wright began the day with a mission brief from the 37th Training Wing leadership that highlighted upcoming plans for BMT expansion to meet Air Force recruiting goals.
“I don’t lose a bit of sleep over the professionalism of my MTIs,” said Col. William Fischer, 737th Training Group commander. “It’s the infrastructure that keeps me up at night.”
Fischer discussed the current state of the Airman Training Complexes and two operational recruit housing and training facilities occupied by basic military trainees, which have operated at maximum capacity and require maintenance to keep Air Force BMT at the forefront of innovation and ingenuity.
Wright then received a tour of the 320th Training Squadron, which is housed in one of the new ATCs which was designed to maximize training time, energy efficiency and operability for both BMT trainees and the MTIs.
“These buildings were designed to make an MTI’s job easier,” said Fischer. “The floor plans of these buildings were created specifically for them.”
Wright moved on to the 324th Training Squadron, which was recently reactivated to meet the demand for basic training and is currently located in the older BMT complex, to compare the former recruit housing and training facility to the new ATC’s.
“The MTI’s here are overcoming the challenges associated with the old facilities,” said Wright. “But they shouldn’t have to do so."
Wright also visited the 326th Training Squadron known as the home of Airmen’s Week, a 31-hour values-based course with a mission to develop professional, resilient Airmen, inspired by Air Force heritage, committed to the Air Force Core Values and motivated to deliver Airpower for America. Airmen go from BMT straight to Airmen’s Week where they are divided into small groups and taught how to apply Air Force core values to real-world situations.
“An Airman once told me, BMT taught me how to put the uniform on,” said Lt. Col. Meghan Doherty, 326th TRS commander, “Airmen’s Week taught me how to wear it.”
As the visit ended, Wright commended and encouraged senior leaders from the 37th TRW, the 737th TRG and the 326th TRS to continue upholding the standard.
“You’re doing a great job down here, I’m not worried at all about the 37th Training Wing,” said Wright. “I can take some of this information back with me and maybe we can talk about slowing down the operational tempo or come up with a plan to resolve some of these issues and keep BMT at the forefront.”