Aspiring Airmen and Guardians at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, are now required to carry a training version of a rifle throughout boot camp—a practice reinstated after more than a decade to foster a “warfighter mindset.”
Starting in late July, trainees arriving for Basic Military Training at the base have been issued an inert M4 carbine after completing their initial week of weapons familiarization. The M4s sport a red flash suppressor to signal their inert status. The trainees are expected to carry the weapon for the remainder of the 7.5-week program and store the rifles in their lockers when they’re in the dorms.
“Incorporating practice weapons into realistic scenarios in a controlled environment builds confidence, corrects errors, and manages stress by providing regular practice that reduces hesitation and increases combat effectiveness,” said Col. Billy Wilson Jr., commander of the 737th Training Group, who reinstituted the program.
This program, requiring trainees to be responsible for their rifle on a daily basis, was previously halted in 2012. But the 737th Training Group that oversees Basic Military Training is now stressing the importance of instilling a “warfighter mindset” as crucial for preparing future Airmen and Guardians for great power competition against the likes of China.
“When they march down the Bomb Run during graduation from Basic Military Training, Aimen and Guardians will feel better prepared for the operational environment they are about to enter,” added Wilson.
Over the years, weapons familiarization has been a consistent part of BMT. In 2019, the program transitioned from the M16A2 to the M4.
The M4 carbine, the most commonly used weapon in deployed locations, offers several advantages over the M16. Its shorter barrel makes it lighter and more maneuverable, ideal for tight spaces and fast-moving situations. The firearm’s modular design, including the Picatinny rail and adjustable stock, allows for easy attachment of scopes, flashlights, and night vision gear, enhancing its versatility in tactical scenarios. Plus, training on the M4 automatically qualifies Airmen and Guardians to handle the M16A3, but not vice versa. The Marines have also switched from M16 to M4 for their training programs in 2016.
Since 2019, trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland have been hitting the revamped range for hands-on firearm training, earning the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and proving their M4 skills in the process. The base has been producing more than 40,000 Airmen and Guardians proficient in the M4 annually.
“The thought was, if the rest of the Air Force is in a permanent state of readiness, why would our BMT trainees be any different,” Tech. Sgt. Joshua Stearns, Combat Weapons Flight noncommissioned officer in charge, said in a release at the time.
Fast forward to 2024, and trainees are carrying a practice version of the weapon daily and instructors are helping them cultivate a “sense of ownership” for their gear. Just two weeks into the program’s implementation, Wilson added that the training has received “positive feedback” from both students and instructors.
“This represents a significant advancement in the training process and in the professional development of our nation’s newest warfighters,” said Wilson. “It fosters the combat-ready mindset necessary for addressing future challenges.”
Trainees are expected to have their rifle on them at all times, except:
- when at medical and processing appointments
- when wearing any combination of the service uniform
- when on a profile that prevents them from carrying it
This is just the latest change to come to BMT in recent years, including dropping BEAST Week in favor of an Agile Combat Employment-focused exercise, a revamped Zero Week to better prepare recruits for the stress of boot camp, and a new Space Force-specific curriculum for Guardians.