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Trainees learn attention to detail through 'warrior' mindset

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candace Romano
  • 37th Training Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  You won't find today's basic trainees hunched over brown T-shirts, tugging at them with tweezers to make perfect 6-inch squares.

Instead, you will soon find Airmen who have mastered the M-16 rifle, can identify its components, field-strip and clean it, and reassemble it without the slightest hesitation.

"The changes in basic training result from the need to meet current and future operational Air Force requirements," said Col. Gina Grosso, 737th Training Group commander. "Each service prepares its recruits to be successful in their respective services. The Air Force is producing expeditionary Airmen who can be successful in the current threat environment."

Refocusing basic military training to more of a "warrior first" mentality means more than an attitude adjustment. It will benefit the Air Force as a whole.

The new training is designed to mirror the air expeditionary force cycle of predeployment, deployment and reconstitution. The deployment phase is represented through field training, now the fourth week of basic military training.

"The changes instill the 'warrior ethos' in Airmen," said Tech. Sgt. Tim Bruton, 321st Training Squadron military training instructor. "Down the road, commanders in the field will see a visible difference in the training and readiness of these Airmen."

"We have trained the (military training instructors) on all the initial issues," said Master Sgt. Janice Allen, 321st TRS section superintendent. "All of the MTIs currently have one M-16 in each dorm room. This way the MTIs will be able to practice what they've learned."

According to Sgt. Allen, by November every basic trainee will be issued an M-16 on the first day of training.

The training rifle is an exact replica of an M-16, with all the same working parts. The only difference is that it won't fire any rounds. To distinguish it as a training weapon, the stock is blue.

But what about the famous 6-inch Tshirt? MTIs say they started rolling T-shirts and underwear, a technique the Navy has used for years. The time saved is redirected to time spent on developing warrior skills.

"We are seeing Airmen with a better skill set and capacity to deploy," Sgt. Allen said. "We are teaching them expeditious, space-saving skills they can use when packing their mobility bags. The way we see it, we are still teaching them attention to detail while teaching them one more warrior skill."

"The biggest change I see now is the confidence level of the graduating Airmen," Sgt. Allen said. "The basic trainees are taught the overall mission of the Air Force and become 'ready-to-go' Airmen. They learn the combat skills necessary to deploy and become the warriors we've expected them to be all along."

The success of the warrior mindset initiative has BMT leaders talking about adding a seventh week to basic training.

"We are all in favor of adding the five additional days of training," Segt. Alamo said. "It can only enhance the level of training they receive."

The recent changes to BMT have developed into positive results, giving Airmen who graduate the warrior mentality they need to be successful.

"Airmen who graduate from basic training today will be better prepared and educated, and know what to expect," Sgt. Bruton said. "When they report to their first duty station and deploy, they won't be lost. They'll be in familiar territory."