In 1947, Basic Military Training increased from six weeks to eight weeks and the Army Air Force Basic Military School changed to the Air Force Basic Military School. On Aug. 26, 1948, the 3700th Basic Training Wing was established -- and the organizations of the wing would remain a fixture on Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for the next 40 years. (Courtesy photo)

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Then and now: Air Force basic military training

Published Sept. 18, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Devon Suits
Air Force News Service

WASHINGTON -- No two careers are identical, but for enlisted Airmen, past and present, there is one place that connects us all -- basic military training.

For the past 67 years, many have entered into what is now known as Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, only to be transformed into Airmen of the world's greatest Air Force; carrying with them the core values of integrity, service and excellence.

To celebrate the Air Force birthday, the history of BMT -- and how it transitioned from an old bombing range at Kelly Field to the new Airmen Training Complexes of today -- has been captured through numerous images and personal accounts of past and present Airmen.

(Courtesy of Air Force News Service. Information courtesy of Tracy English, Airman Edward Siqueiros and Airman 1st Class Daniel Feverback from the 37th Training Wing Historian Office; Air Education Training Command Public Affairs; Gary W. Boyd, the AETC Historian; Robert Rubio, 37th Training Wing Public Affairs; 737th Training Group, Air Force basic military training; U.S. Air Force Military Training Instructor Association; Air Force News Service, Mike Joseph, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Public Affairs; 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs)