Sharp commands cut through the air as 307th Bomb Wing Development and Training Flight trainees adjusted their posture and struggled to stay in step during a drill session here Jan. 30, 2026. The training, led by a former military training instructor, offered a first glimpse of the structure and intensity they will face at Basic Military Training.
Master Sgt. Ashley Henderson, 307th Bomb Wing Development and Training Flight coordinator, organized the session for her DTF trainees.
The idea stemmed from feedback received during a DTF conference in August 2025, when flight coordinators participated in drill and ceremony training led by MTIs.
Drill and ceremony are foundational components of BMT, designed to instill discipline, teamwork and immediate responsiveness to commands while introducing trainees to the military’s structured environment.
Henderson said she received an immediate response from five active-duty volunteers after issuing an all-call for former MTIs at Barksdale Air Force Base.
“A lot of them want to come out as much as possible, which is good for me because as coordinators, we can only teach parade rest and position of attention,” Henderson said. “MTIs are the only ones who can teach the actual aspects of marching, so as long as they’re willing, I will have them here every drill weekend.”
Unlike coordinators, who are limited in what they can instruct, former MTIs bring firsthand experience from the drill pads at BMT, allowing trainees to learn from those who once guided Airmen through the same process.
Henderson said her primary goal for the DTF is to provide insight rather than perfection. The sessions are intentionally loud and structured, offering recruits a preview of what to expect when they step off the bus at BMT.
Master Sgt. Brandon Blanton, operational medicine superintendent assigned to the 2nd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, led the first session. He covered fundamentals such as rendering a salute and responding appropriately to commands like cover and present arms while in formation.
Blanton was assigned to the 320th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas, from 2018 to 2023. For him, the effort offered a chance to dust off a familiar skill set and give back to the next generation of Airmen.
“I chose to volunteer because I miss being an MTI, and once I saw the opportunity, I wanted to give back,” Blanton said.
For trainees, the experience offered a new perspective on preparing for BMT.
“This gave me a new understanding of what we’re actually getting ready for,” said Torique Washington, a 307th DTF trainee. “Hearing about MTIs is one thing, but actually being in front of a real former MTI is completely different.”
Early exposure to the customs and discipline of drill and ceremony can help reduce the initial shock of BMT, giving trainees time to build confidence before they arrive.
“Expecting to go to BMT and have those interactions is one thing, but being in this scenario — you can’t really mimic that,” Washington said. “Having this experience made me think, ‘Let me go ahead and prepare myself for what’s next.’”
As the trainees prepare for upcoming drill weekends and their eventual departure for BMT, Henderson said the goal is readiness — not perfection. By the time they step off the bus, she said, the environment should feel familiar, not overwhelming.
| Date Taken: |
01.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
01.31.2026 16:05 |
| Story ID: |
557251 |
| Location: |
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LOUISIANA, US |
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