News

Air Force Basic Military Training continues to fine-tune program with major modernizations

  • Published
  • By Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

As part of the Basic Military Training curriculum revamp centered on readiness and lethality, airmanship, fitness and the warrior ethos, multiple changes to training are set to begin this summer.

BMT is set to receive close to 9,000 M4 training rifles and after renovations to the combat arms range are completed, BMT will switch from the M16 weapons familiarization course to the M4 weapons qualification course.

Also starting in the summer, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response curriculum will incorporate technology to create an interactive learning environment. The tablet-based approach will leverage both a podium instructor and electronic scenarios, which trainees can interact with for an immersive learning experience. 

“The smart infusion of technology will provide more of an opportunity for more powerful learning outcomes going forward,” said Col. Jason Corrothers, 737th Training Group and Basic Military Training commander.

Meanwhile in the fall, BMT will have embedded exercise physiologists in every squadron. These sports medicine experts will train permanent party staff and coach and council trainees to help prevent injury and injury rehabilitation.

In addition to embedded exercise physiologists, BMT has incorporated hand-to-hand combative training. Since incorporating more physical fitness into BMT, Corrothers said the BMT attrition is down from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent, and credits the reduction to the construction of the more challenging program.