37th Training WingEdit
The 37th Training Wing is a major United States Air Force training organization under the auspices of the Air Education and Training Command. Based at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, it oversees the entry and ongoing professional development of enlisted airmen, delivering a broad spectrum of instruction from basic military skills to specialized technical training. The wing plays a central role in shaping the force’s readiness, doctrine, and core values through a structured curriculum, rigorous standards, and a focus on leadership development. Its mission extends beyond initial entry training to include ongoing professional growth for airmen across a range of specialties, often in collaboration with partner nations and other defense communities. The wing’s activities are closely tied to the broader military training ecosystem of the United States Air Force and the defense establishment at large, including institutions within the Air Education and Training Command and related training pathways such as Basic Military Training.
The wing’s history is intertwined with the long-standing tradition of air force training conducted at Lackland Air Force Base and the evolution of training doctrine in the postwar era. Over time, the 37th Training Wing has adapted to changing operational requirements, organizational reforms, and shifts in policy regarding recruitment, diversity, and readiness. The result is a training enterprise designed to prepare airmen for both immediate duties and longer-term professional development, while maintaining a strong emphasis on discipline, accountability, and mission-focused competence.
Mission and functions
- Basic Military Training and acclimation for new enlistees, introducing core values, drill, physical conditioning, and the fundamentals of service life under the framework of Basic Military Training.
- Technical and career-field training that equips airmen with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to operate, maintain, and support air force missions across a variety of specialties. This includes both initial specialty instruction and ongoing professional development.
- Leadership development and professional growth programs that advance airmen toward greater responsibility, supervisory roles, and career progression within the service.
- Support for international students and partner-nation programs engaged in defense cooperation, reflecting the wing’s role in broader security partnerships and global training exchanges with allied forces. See also foreign military training and related International programs.
- Collaboration with other training institutions and wings within the Air Education and Training Command to standardize practices, share best practices, and ensure interoperability across the force.
Organization and training structure
The 37th Training Wing is organized to deliver both entry-level and technical instruction, typically through multiple mission-focused groups and subordinate squadrons. The core structure emphasizes: - An operations-oriented component responsible for delivering instruction, scheduling, assessment, drill, and the supervision of training activities. - A support component tasked with base security, facilities management, logistics, welfare programs, and patient care in applicable training contexts. - Administrative and processing functions that manage student accession, housing, and welfare services to ensure a stable and productive learning environment. This arrangement reflects the broader Air Force model in which wings coordinate closely with higher headquarters to maintain consistency with Air Education and Training Command standards and to align with national defense priorities.
Training philosophy and modernization
The wing emphasizes a balanced approach that values traditional standards of discipline and performance while incorporating modern training methods. This includes a mix of classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and simulated scenarios designed to replicate real-world environments. Emphasis on professional ethics, teamwork, and problem-solving remains central to the curriculum, alongside ongoing updates to reflect current technologies, procedures, and best practices in air force operations. The training enterprise also engages in continuous improvement efforts, integrating feedback from instructors, graduates, and line units to refine curricula and instructional delivery.
Controversies and debates
As with many large, mission-critical training organizations, the wing has been part of broader public conversations about how best to balance readiness, standards, and inclusion. Proponents argue that rigorous training standards, streamlined execution of accession programs, and a focus on core competencies are essential to national security and mission readiness. Critics have raised questions about the pace of reform, the allocation of resources toward non-operational elements, and how training policies address evolving norms around diversity and inclusion. In this context, supporters highlight that a diverse, well-trained force is more adaptable and capable in complex operational theaters, while critics caution against policy shifts that could be perceived as impacting core readiness or altering traditional standards. The debates are rooted in enduring questions about how to maintain a high-performance military while reflecting the values of a changing society, and they are discussed within the broader framework of military preparedness and public accountability.