An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

12th Flying Training Wing

The 12th Flying Training Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, develops the next generation of Air Force aviators and enlisted aircrew by providing world-class flying training and education. The wing trains Airmen in the fundamentals of airmanship, instruction and leadership, preparing them for success in operational units across the Air Force. Through undergraduate Combat Systems Officer training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot indoctrination, enlisted aviator training, and other specialized programs, the 12th FTW produces skilled, adaptable, and combat-ready professionals capable of meeting the demands of today's complex operating environment while strengthening the future of American airpower.

 

 

12FTW Units

aircraft mechanic, performs maintenance 12th Maintenance Group
12th Maintenance Group
See More
Photo of an undergaraduate combat systems officer graduation 479th Flying Training Group
479th Flying Training Group
See More
An Airman inspects an aircraft 12th Operations Group
12th Operations Group
See More

Articles

One woman sits a table on the left writing in the notepad, while two women stand to the right measuring for a maternity uniform fitting.

Female Fitment Program Office clothing designers Melea Green and Francesco Vetrano record measurements during a uniform fitting at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 7, 2023. Initiated and hosted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the program’s mission is to acquire and support human systems to enhance warfighter performance, protection and survivability. (U.S. Air Force photos by 88th ABW/PA)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A female Airman is measured during a Sword Athena event at Langley, Virginia during May 2022. (USAF photo / Jim Varhegyi)

Airmen are measured for uniforms during a Sword Athena event at Langley, Va. in May 2022. Military uniforms are designed to accommodate most body types, but many individuals face difficulty finding a good fit based on unique proportions or even medical needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • One woman sits a table on the left writing in the notepad, while two women stand to the right measuring for a maternity uniform fitting.

    Female Fitment Program Office clothing designers Melea Green and Francesco Vetrano record measurements during a uniform fitting at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 7, 2023. Initiated and hosted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the program’s mission is to acquire and support human systems to enhance warfighter performance, protection and survivability. (U.S. Air Force photos by 88th ABW/PA)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • A female Airman is measured during a Sword Athena event at Langley, Virginia during May 2022. (USAF photo / Jim Varhegyi)

    Airmen are measured for uniforms during a Sword Athena event at Langley, Va. in May 2022. Military uniforms are designed to accommodate most body types, but many individuals face difficulty finding a good fit based on unique proportions or even medical needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)

    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Special-order uniforms provide accommodations

  • Published
  • By Maj. Tiffany Low
  • Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Agile Combat Support Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  

Military uniforms are designed to accommodate most body types, but many individuals face difficulty finding a good fit based on unique proportions or even medical needs.

The Air Force provides special-order – often used interchangeably with special-measurement which is the most common type of special order – uniforms to service members who fall outside of the standard size range. There are also options for those who need non-permethrin-treated operational camouflage pattern, or OCP, uniforms. Permethrin is an insect repellent. The special-order process allows service members to comply with military standards and maintain a professional appearance without incurring additional costs.

Hi Res graphic of special order uniform process. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Wilbur Wood).
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
“What the customer pays is the standard price of the item,” said David James, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Customer Cell chief. The DLA Troop Support customer is the Army Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES, which operates the Military Clothing Sales Store, or MCSS, on behalf of the Department of the Air Force.

“MCSS locations purchase uniforms from DLATS [commonly used as an abbreviation for DLA Troop Support] at cost and sell at cost,” said Shawn Martinson, AAFES military clothing buyer. “If a service member requires clothing or footwear that is unavailable in the sizes provided in store and they cannot be accommodated by altering an available item, the military clothing associate prepares a special-measurement requisition through DLATS.”

When the Air Force transitioned to OCPs, Lt. Col. Katie Henschel, a program manager with the U.S. Transportation Command, noticed she broke out in hives during duty days.

“I had red, bumpy, itchy skin all along my arms and legs whenever I was in uniform; however, over the weekend, my skin would return to normal,” Henschel said. “My medical provider suspected an allergic reaction to the permethrin-treated OCPs. Their advice was to see if non-permethrin-treated OCPs were an option.”

The special-order process begins and ends at the MCSS.

First, a service member tries on several standard sizes to determine if a common size garment can be used. If not, the store associate indicates the best fitting standard size, describes how the garment fits improperly, and takes the service member’s body measurements.

Forms for special-order uniforms are completed and submitted to either DLA Troop Support or the Air Force Clothing and Textile Liaison Office, or AFCTO. The AFCTO, part of Agile Combat Support’s Human Systems Division, assists those unfamiliar with the special-order process by guiding them and reviewing their requests for completion prior to submission to DLA Troop Support. Upon receipt of the special-order request, DLA Troop Support puts the order on contract with their vendor. Finally, the DLA Troop Support vendor develops the requested item and ships it to MCSS for customer pickup.

The special-order process for footwear is similar but may require a visit to a healthcare provider if a medical condition is confirmed or suspected. A healthcare professional will take foot measurements and tracings and fill out required forms. The paperwork is then given to MCSS for requisition.

“Most special orders can be filled in 60 days, but depending on the item there may be exceptions,” James said.

Public Affairs Information

Tours of the 12th Flying Training Wing are provided to various community organizations, high schools, businesses, and academic military recruitment programs to educate their members about the 12th FTW mission.

Due to the high volume of requests and limited public affairs resources, tours and static displays are limited.

Please submit all requests in writing to the 12th FTW Public Affairs by email to 12ftw.pa.1@us.af.mil at least three weeks but no more than six weeks in advance. You may also call 210-652-1272.

Tours are not available on weekends and may be cancelled at any time because of increased security measures or mission requirements. The 12th FTW does not host tours of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph at-large. To schedule a tour of JBSA-Randolph, please contact JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs at 502abw.pa.official@us.af.mil or dial 210-652-4410.

If desired, requestors must arrange all meals. PA will provide contact information to base eateries. Modified tours will be granted for those with limited mobility - this must be stated on the tour request. If not stated, it is assumed that mobility is not an issue.